Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2016	Oct. 30, 2015	Oct. 28, 2016	Oct. 30, 2015
Basic earnings per common share:
Net earnings attributable to Lowe’s Companies, Inc.	$ 378	$ 736	$ 2,428	$ 2,535
Less: Net earnings allocable to participating securities	(2)	(3)	(9)	(12)
Net earnings allocable to common shares, basic	$ 376	$ 733	$ 2,419	$ 2,523
Weighted average common shares outstanding	873	918	884	933
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.43	$ 0.80	$ 2.74	$ 2.70
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net earnings attributable to Lowe’s Companies, Inc.	$ 378	$ 736	$ 2,428	$ 2,535
Less: Net earnings allocable to participating securities	(2)	(3)	(9)	(12)
Net earnings allocable to common shares, diluted	$ 376	$ 733	$ 2,419	$ 2,523
Weighted average common shares outstanding	873	918	884	933
Dilutive effect of non-participating share-based awards	1	3	2	2
Weighted average common shares, as adjusted	874	921	886	935
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.43	$ 0.80	$ 2.73	$ 2.70