Extended Protection Plans (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 02, 2013	Feb. 01, 2013	Aug. 03, 2012
Extended Protection Plans
Deferred costs associated with extended protection plan contracts	$ 72	$ 95	$ 119

Gross amount of deferred costs associated with extended warranty contracts yet to be recognized at the end of the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	low_DeferredCostsAssociatedWithExtendedWarrantyContracts
Namespace Prefix:	low_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant