Net Income per Share (Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 12,289	$ 10,859	$ 34,625	$ 41,448
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,391,195	36,306,224	36,367,412	36,279,061
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	71,220	56,814	66,477	54,202
Denominator for basic calculation (in shares)	36,462,415	36,363,038	36,433,889	36,333,263
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,391,195	36,306,224	36,367,412	36,279,061
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	71,220	56,814	66,477	54,202
Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted units (in shares)	186,305	166,857	179,741	206,436
Denominator for diluted calculation (in shares)	36,648,720	36,529,895	36,613,630	36,539,699
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.34	$ 0.30	$ 0.95	$ 1.14
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.34	$ 0.30	$ 0.95	$ 1.13