Extended Protection Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Apr. 29, 2016	May. 01, 2015	Jan. 29, 2016
Extended Protection Plans
Deferred costs associated with extended protection plan contracts	$ 18	$ 27	$ 20
Expenses for claims incurred	$ 30	$ 29

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