2.4.0.8004050 - Disclosure - Restricted Investment Balances (Details)truefalseIn Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$AS_OF_Aug02_2013http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000060667instant2013-08-02T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$AS_OF_Feb01_2013http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000060667instant2013-02-01T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3false USDfalsefalse$AS_OF_Aug03_2012http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000060667instant2012-08-03T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 1us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsAbstractus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Restricted Investment Balances2false 2us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsCurrentus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse163000000163USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse123000000123USD$falsetruefalse3truefalsefalse136000000136USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe current cash, cash equivalents and investments that are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. Includes current cash equivalents and investments that are similarly restricted as to withdrawal, usage or disposal.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 false2Restricted balances included in short-term investments3false 2us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsNoncurrentus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse230000000230USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse263000000263USD$falsetruefalse3truefalsefalse313000000313USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe noncurrent cash, cash equivalents and investments that is restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits classified as long-term; that is not expected to be released from such existing restrictions within one year of the balance sheet date or operating cycle, whichever is longer. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. Includes noncurrent cash equivalents and investments that are similarly restricted as to withdrawal, usage or disposal.No definition available.false2Restricted balances included in long-term investmentsfalseRestricted Investment Balances (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://lowes.com/role/DisclosureRestrictedInvestmentBalancesDetails33