Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Mar. 29, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORP
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,258,839
Entity Public Float		$ 0
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000795212
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Feb. 02, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Ex Transition Period	false