Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Raven Industries, Inc. Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Director [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Director [Member] Paid-in Capital [Member]	Stock Options [Member]	Stock Options [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Stock Options [Member] Paid-in Capital [Member]	Stock Options [Member] Total Raven Industries, Inc. Equity [Member]	Employee Stock Option [Member]	Employee Stock Option [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Employee Stock Option [Member] Paid-in Capital [Member]	Employee Stock Option [Member] Total Raven Industries, Inc. Equity [Member]
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance at Jan. 31, 2010	$ 133,251	$ 32,478	$ 5,604	$ (53,362)	$ 149,732	$ (1,201)	$ 133,251
Treasury stock, shares beginning at Jan. 31, 2010				(14,449)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	40,537				40,537		40,537
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	81					81	81
Cash dividends	(11,546)		17		(11,563)		(11,546)
Dividends (special - $.625 per share)	22,549		(32)		22,581		22,549
Stock surrendered upon exercise of stock options											(3,117)	(79)	(3,038)	(3,117)	3,369	112	3,257	3,369
Share-based compensation	1,179	0	1,179				1,179
Tax benefit/cost from exercise of stock options	9		9				9
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance at Jan. 31, 2011	141,214	32,511	7,060	(53,362)	156,125	(1,120)	141,214
Treasury stock, shares ending at Jan. 31, 2011	(28,897)			(14,449)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	50,635				50,569		50,569	66
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(842)					(842)	(842)
Cash dividends	(13,025)		19		(13,044)		(13,025)
Employees' stock options exercised									(7)	7
Stock surrendered upon exercise of stock options											(2,126)	(37)	(2,089)	(2,126)	2,497	84	2,413	2,497
Share-based compensation	1,922	1	1,921				1,922
Tax benefit/cost from exercise of stock options	290		290				290
Noncontrolling capital contribution	25							25
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance at Jan. 31, 2012	180,590	32,566	9,607	(53,362)	193,650	(1,962)	180,499	91
Treasury stock, shares ending at Jan. 31, 2012	(28,897)			(14,449)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	52,555				52,545		52,545	10
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(133)					(133)	(133)
Cash dividends	(15,244)		63		(15,307)		(15,244)
Two-for-one stock split, value	0	32,598	(7,405)		(25,193)		0
Two-for-one stock split, shares				(14,448)
Stock surrendered upon exercise of stock options											(2,251)	(36)	(2,215)	(2,251)	2,598	95	2,503	2,598
Share-based compensation	3,075	0	3,075				3,075
Tax benefit/cost from exercise of stock options	257		257				257
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance at Jan. 31, 2013	$ 221,447	$ 65,223	$ 5,885	$ (53,362)	$ 205,695	$ (2,095)	$ 221,346	$ 101
Treasury stock, shares ending at Jan. 31, 2013	(28,897)			(28,897)