Extended Protection Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Oct. 28, 2016	Oct. 30, 2015	Oct. 28, 2016	Oct. 30, 2015	Jan. 29, 2016
Extended Protection Plans
Deferred costs associated with extended protection plan contracts	$ 17	$ 22	$ 17	$ 22	$ 20
Expenses for claims incurred	$ 39	$ 36	$ 107	$ 95

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