Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012 Common Class A [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Common Class B [Member]
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	QAD INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001036188
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Statement [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		12,492,536	3,154,935
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2012