Extended Protection Plans (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Aug. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2012	Aug. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2012
Changes in the liability for extended protection plan claims
Liability for extended protection plan claims, beginning of period	$ 20	$ 22	$ 20	$ 21
Accrual for claims incurred	29	25	56	42
Claim payments	(22)	(24)	(49)	(40)
Liability for extended protection plan claims, end of period	$ 27	$ 23	$ 27	$ 23

Represents the accruals for claims that are incurred per the terms of the extended warranty contract.

No definition available.

Name:	low_AccrualForClaimsIncurred
Namespace Prefix:	low_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount as of the balance sheet date of the aggregate extended product warranty liability. Does not include the ending balance for the standard product warranty liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph (c)(1),(c)(5)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the aggregate decrease in the liability for payments made (in cash or in kind) to satisfy claims under the terms of the extended product warranty. Does not include any Increase or Decrease in the liability for payments related to standard product warranties.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration