The net book value of a building pledged as security for a mortgage.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Debt Instrument, Debt Covenant Leverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

In a debt conversion transaction, the amount of additional consideration given in excess of the outstanding principal of original debt, which is recorded as part of the discount at the exchange of the instruments and amortized over the converted instrument's term.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount issued or borrowed under the credit facility during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The percentage of credit card receivables used as collateral to secure long-term debt instruments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The maximum amount by which the entity may choose to increase the maximum capacity of a credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity under short-term financing arrangements that is available to the entity as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The value of the financial instrument(s) that the original debt is being converted into in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Description of the interest rate as being fixed or variable, and, if variable, identification of the index or rate on which the interest rate is based and the number of points or percentage added to that index or rate to set the rate, and other pertinent information, such as frequency of rate resets.

+ References

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- Details

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- Definition

Description of the maturity date of the debt instrument including whether the debt matures serially and, if so, a brief description of the serial maturities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

The amount of debt discount (net of debt premium) that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

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-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

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-Paragraph 3

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-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Article 5

-Subsection 19, 20, 22

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Debt And Credit Facilities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of proceeds and senior unsecured notes retired	$ 400us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
Amount of new senior unsecured notes issued in exchange transaction	265	0	201	0
Excess outstanding principal of exchanged notes relating to lower interest rate and longer maturity recorded as a portion of the total discount	64		64
Total unsecured debt	2,737us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt	2,763us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt	2,737us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt		2,763us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt
Book value of office building used to secure mortgage payable		64jwn_BuildingsPledgedAsCollateral			64jwn_BuildingsPledgedAsCollateral
Debt instrument interest rate		LIBOR plus 1.275%
Basis spread on variable rate		1.275%
Series 2011-1 Class A Notes, 2.28%, due October 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	2.28%	2.28%	2.28%		2.28%
Maturity date		October 2016	October 2016
Senior notes, 5.00%, due January 2044, net of unamortized discount [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total senior unsecured notes issued, gross	665		665
Debt instrument interest rate		5.00%			5.00%
Total unsecured debt	595	598	595		598
Total discount on the new senior unsecured notes		67			67
Maturity date					January 2044
Senior notes, 7.00%, due January 2038, net of unamortized discount [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%		7.00%
Total unsecured debt	146	146	146		146
Maturity date		January 2038	January 2038
Senior notes, 6.75%, due June 2014, net of unamortized discount [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	6.75%		6.75%
Maturity date		June 2014	June 2014
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity of current facility		800			800
Maturity date		March 2018
Option to increase the maximum capacity of revolving credit facility		200
Maximum borrowing capacity		1,000			1,000
Debt covenant leverage ratio		4
Line of credit facility, issuances or borrowings during period		0	0	0
Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity of current facility		800			800
Line of credit facility, issuances or borrowings during period		0	0	0
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date		November 2018
Maximum borrowing capacity						52
Outstanding borrowings or issuances		37			37
Short-Term Borrowings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term borrowing capacity		$ 800			$ 800
Nordstrom Visa credit card receivables [Member] \| Restricted [Member] \| Series 2011-1 Class A Notes, 2.28%, due October 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of company interest in credit card receivables used as collateral to secure debt		90.00%