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, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 6,783	$ 12,289	$ 25,540	$ 34,625
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,499,018	36,391,195	36,462,441	36,367,412
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	68,721	71,220	69,616	66,477
Denominator for basic calculation (in shares)	36,567,739	36,462,415	36,532,057	36,433,889
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,499,018	36,391,195	36,462,441	36,367,412
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	68,721	71,220	69,616	66,477
Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted units (in shares)	165,504	186,305	188,713	179,741
Denominator for diluted calculation (in shares)	36,733,243	36,648,720	36,720,770	36,613,630
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.34	$ 0.70	$ 0.95
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.34	$ 0.70	$ 0.95