Name:	jwn_TotalLongTermDebt
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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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.

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligation due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 6
-Section H

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount of long-term debt and capital leases due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date, including the current and noncurrent portions, of collateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.

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)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 20, 22
-Article 5

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

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).

Name:	us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=jwn_MortgagePayable768PercentDueApril2020Member
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=jwn_SeniorNotes625PercentDueJanuary2018NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=jwn_SeniorNotesFourPercentDueOctoberTwoThousandAndTwentyOneNetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=jwn_SeniorDebentures695PercentDueMarch2028Member
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=jwn_SeniorNotes700PercentDueJanuary2038NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember
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