Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jul. 31, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0001036188
Entity Registrant Name	QAD INC
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-22823
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	77-0105228
Entity Address, Address Line One	100 Innovation Place
Entity Address, City or Town	Santa Barbara
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	93108
City Area Code	805
Local Phone Number	566-6000
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 361,000,000
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	QADB
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,330,318
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	QADA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,379,947