Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Apr. 09, 2013	Jul. 28, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SIGMA DESIGNS INC
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		34,130,813
Entity Public Float			$ 190,657,501
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000790715
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Feb. 02, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY