Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2016	May. 27, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	LOWES COMPANIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000060667
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 29, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-29
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		886,104,716