Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts Payable Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable Net Current Trade accounts Accrued dividend on redeemable preferred stock Accrued Dividend On Redeemable Preferred Stock Accrued dividend on redeemable preferred shares Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities For Unredeeemed Gift Cards Gift card liabilities Accrued Sales Commission Current And Noncurrent Outstanding amounts payable Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gains (Losses) Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Asset Amount Intellectual property assets Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Axis] Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets Weighted Average Period Prior To Renewal Or Extension Historical customer attrition useful life Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Asset Weighted Average Useful Life Amortization period Acquisition of intellectual property Acquisition Of Intellectual Property Purchase of Borders Group, Inc. intellectual property Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interest. Acquisition Of Noncontrolling Interest [Text Block] Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interest Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value Stock-based compensation expense Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities: Advertising Costs Policy [Text Block] Advertising Costs Advertising Expense Advertising costs Aircraft Rental And Landing Fees Aircraft time-sharing and operating costs Amended credit agreement [member] Amended Credit Agreement [Member] Amended Credit Agreement Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortization Of Acquired Intangible Assets Amortization expense related to acquisition Amortization of acquired intangibles Amortization Of Financing Costs Amortization of deferred financing fees Amortization of deferred financing fees Amortization Period For Deferred Finance Costs Amortization Period For Deferred Finance Costs Deferrred financing amortization term Amount Of Loan Cap Under Credit Agreement Amount Of Loan Cap Under Credit Agreement Amount of Loan Cap under Amended Credit Agreement Annual Membership Fees [Member] Annual Fee Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Participating securities excluded from the calculation of earnings per share Asset Impairment Charges Impairment losses on other long lived assets Assets Total Assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets Current Total current assets Author Contracts [Member] Author Contracts [Member] Author Contracts Balance Sheet Line Item [Axis] Balance Sheet Line Item [Axis] Balance Sheet Line Item [Axis] Balance Sheet Line Item [Domain] Balance Sheet Line Item [Domain] Balance Sheet Line Item [Domain] B And N College [Member] B And N College [Member] B&N College B And N Dot Com [Member] B And N Dot Com [Member] B&N.com B And N Retail [Member] B And N Retail [Member] B&N Retail Barnes & Noble Bookquest LLC [Member] Barnes And Noble Bookquest Limited Liability Company [Member] Bookquest Begin Smart Limited Liability Company Member Begin Smart Limited Liability Company [Member] Begin Smart LLC Benefit of Excess Tax Amortization Benefit Of Excess Tax Amortization Benefit of excess tax amortization Buildings And Improvements Gross Buildings and leasehold improvements Business Acquisition Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Cash Paid Cash Paid Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Cash Paid Upon Acquisition Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Cash Paid Upon Acquisition Cash paid Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Employee Bonuses Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Employee Bonuses Cash bonuses paid to members Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Notes Issued Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Notes Issued Seller Notes Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Purchase Price Purchase price for remaining interest Purchase price paid Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract] Allocation of purchase price: Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Assets Amortizable intangible assets Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Assets Acquired Total assets acquired Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Current Assets Current assets Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Deferred Income Taxes Asset Liability Net Deferred taxes Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Goodwill Amount Goodwill Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill, Nontax Deductible Amount Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Goodwill Nontax Deductible Amount Goodwill Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Assets Not Amortizable Trade name Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Liabilities Assumed Liabilities assumed Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Noncurrent Assets Non-current assets Business Combination Acquisition Related Costs Acquisition-related expenses Business Combination Consideration Transferred Fair value of total consideration Business Combination Consideration Transferred Other Seller Notes Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Shares Business Combination Consideration Transferred Shares Number of shares transferred to certain of the Bonus Recipients Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisition of B&N College Business Exit Costs Costs associated with store closings Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current 2013 Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years 2017 Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years 2016 Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years 2015 Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years 2014 Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter After 2017 Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents cash paid on acquisition Cash Paid On Acquisition Cash paid Chief Executive Officer [Member] Chief Executive Officer Class Of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Class Of Stock [Line Items] Class of Stock [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments and Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments and Contingencies [Table] Commitments [Member] Commitment Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid Dividend paid, per share Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Value Common stock; $.001 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 91,376 and 90,465 shares issued, respectively Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Components Of Income Tax Expense Benefit [Line Items] Components Of Income Tax Expense Benefit [Line Items] Components Of Income Tax Expense Benefit [Line Items] Components Of Income Tax Expense Benefit [Table] Components Of Income Tax Expense Benefit [Table] Components Of Income Tax Expense Benefit [Table] Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Total comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Barnes & Noble, Inc. Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive earnings (loss) Consolidated cases, number of lawsuits Consolidated Cases Number Of Lawsuits Consolidated cases, number of lawsuits Consolidation Policy [Text Block] Consolidation Contract Term Contract Term Contract term on supply agreement Lease contract term Contractual Commitments [Axis] Contractual Commitments [Axis] Contractual Commitments [Axis] Contractual Commitments [Domain] Contractual Commitments [Domain] Contractual Commitments [Domain] Conversion Rate Of Preferred Stock Conversion Rate Of Preferred Stock Percentage of conversion price of the preferred stock Copyrights [Member] Copyrights Corporate Office [Member] Corporate Office [Member] Corporate Office Cost Of Merchandise Sales Buying And Occupancy Costs Cost of sales and occupancy Credit Card Receivables Credit/debit card receivables Credit Facility Maturity Term Credit Facility Maturity Term Credit facility maturity term, in years Credit Facility Twenty Zero Nine [Member] Credit Facility Twenty Zero Nine [Member] 2009 Credit Facility Current Beneficial Ownership Threshold Percentage Current Beneficial Ownership Threshold Percentage Beneficial ownership threshold Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit Federal Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Income Tax Expense Benefit Total current Current Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations [Abstract] Current: Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit State Customer fees, non-refundable after the first thirty days, revenue recognized Customer Fees Non Refundable After First Thirty Days Revenue Recognized Non-refundable, after first 30 days, annual fee Customer Relationships [Member] Customer Relationships Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Credit Facility Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument Decrease Forgiveness Settlement waive amount Debt Instrument Face Amount Debt, principal amount Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Debt, interest rate Interest rate Debt Instrument Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Deferred Charges Policy [Text Block] Deferred Charges Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual Share Based Payments By Title Of Individual [Axis] Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments, by Title of Individual [Axis] Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit Federal Deferred Finance Costs Noncurrent Net Deferred financing fees Unamortized deferred costs Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Deferred taxes Total deferred Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations [Abstract] Deferred: Deferred Rent Credit Noncurrent Deferred Rent Deferred Revenue Deferred Revenue Deferred Revenue Arrangement Type [Axis] Deferred Revenue Arrangement Type [Axis] Deferred Revenue Arrangement Type [Domain] Deferred Revenue Arrangement Type [Domain] Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit State Deferred Tax Assets Equity Method Investments Investments in equity securities Deferred Tax Assets Inventory Inventory Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Net deferred tax liabilities Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net [Abstract] Balance Sheet caption reported in: Deferred Tax Assets Net Total deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets Net [Abstract] Deferred tax assets: Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Deferred Tax Assets Net Operating Loss And Tax Credit Carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets Net Operating Loss And Tax Credit Carryforwards Deferred tax assets, loss and credit carryovers Loss and credit carryovers Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards Deferred tax assets, NOLs Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Pensions Pension Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Share Based Compensation Cost Stock-based compensation Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Accrued Liabilities Estimated accruals Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Deferred Rent Lease transactions Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Self Insurance Insurance liability Deferred Tax Component Classification [Axis] Deferred Tax Component Classification [Axis] Deferred Tax Component Classification [Axis] Deferred Tax Component Classification [Domain] Deferred Tax Component Classification [Domain] Deferred Tax Component Classification [Domain] Deferred Tax Liabilities Total deferred tax liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract] Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred Tax Liabilities Current [Member] Deferred Tax Liabilities Current [Member] Short-term deferred tax liability Deferred Tax Liabilities Goodwill And Intangible Assets Goodwill and intangible asset amortization Deferred Tax Liabilities Investments In Subsidiaries Deferred Tax Liabilities Investments In Subsidiaries Investment in Barnes & Noble.com Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Deferred taxes Deferred tax liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent [Member] Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent [Member] Long-term deferred tax liability Deferred Tax Liabilities Other Other Deferred Tax Liabilities, Prepaid Expense Deferred Tax Liabilities Prepaid Expenses Prepaid expenses Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment Property & equipment Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items] Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized Company contributions, employee benefit expenses Delaware Limited Liability Company [Member] Delaware Limited Liability Company [Member] NewCo Depreciation And Amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Depreciation and amortization (including amortization of deferred financing fees) Digital [Member] Digital [Member] Digital Dilutive Securities Effect of dilutive options Disclosure - Acquisition of B&N College - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Acquisition Of B N College Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Acquisition of B&N College - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interest - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Acquisition Of Noncontrolling Interest Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interest - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Aggregate Amortization Expense [Abstract] Disclosure Aggregate Amortization Expense [Abstract] Disclosure - Aggregate Amortization Expense [Abstract] Disclosure - Allocation of Purchase Price on Acquisition of B&N College [Abstract] Disclosure Allocation Of Purchase Price On Acquisition Of B N College [Abstract] Disclosure - Allocation of Purchase Price on Acquisition of B&N College [Abstract] Disclosure - Amortizable Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure Amortizable Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Amortizable Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Certain Relationships And Related Transactions Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes In Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment [Abstract] Disclosure Changes In Carrying Amount Of Goodwill By Segment [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes In Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in Level 3 Contingent Consideration Liability [Abstract] Disclosure Changes In Level 3 Contingent Consideration Liability [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in Level 3 Contingent Consideration Liability [Abstract] Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure - Credit Facility [Abstract] Disclosure Credit Facility [Abstract] Disclosure - Credit Facility [Abstract] Disclosure - Credit Facility - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Credit Facility Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Credit Facility - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Dividends - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Dividends Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Dividends - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Employees' Retirement and Defined Contribution Plans - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Employees Retirement And Defined Contribution Plans Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Employees' Retirement and Defined Contribution Plans - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Estimated Amortization Expense [Abstract] Disclosure Estimated Amortization Expense [Abstract] Disclosure - Estimated Amortization Expense [Abstract] Disclosure - Federal and State Income Tax Provisions (Benefits) [Abstract] Disclosure Federal And State Income Tax Provisions Benefits [Abstract] Disclosure - Federal and State Income Tax Provisions (Benefits) [Abstract] Disclosure - Future Minimum Annual Rentals, Excluding Percentage Rentals Noncancelable Lease Terms Greater Than One Year [Abstract] Disclosure Future Minimum Annual Rentals Excluding Percentage Rentals Noncancelable Lease Terms Greater Than One Year [Abstract] Disclosure - Future Minimum Annual Rentals, Excluding Percentage Rentals Noncancelable Lease Terms Greater Than One Year [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Intangible Assets And Goodwill Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Legal Proceedings - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Legal Proceedings Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Legal Proceedings - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Liberty Investment - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Liberty Investment Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Liberty Investment - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure - Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure - Microsoft Investment - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Microsoft Investment Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Microsoft Investment - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Net Earnings Loss Per Share Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation