v3.6.0.2
Document and Entity Information - shares
6 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2017
Feb. 21, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Jan. 31, 2017  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Trading Symbol BRC  
Entity Registrant Name BRADY CORP  
Entity Central Index Key 0000746598  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --07-31  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Class A nonvoting common stock    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   47,615,579
Class B voting common stock    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   3,538,628