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	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 31,733	$ 42,903	$ 52,545
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,859,026	36,379,356	36,290,329
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	69,484	67,724	54,929
Denominator for basic calculation (in shares)	36,928,510	36,447,080	36,345,258
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,859,026	36,379,356	36,290,329
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	69,484	67,724	54,929
Dilutive impact of stock options and RSUs (in shares)	174,784	198,295	188,166
Denominator for diluted calculation (in shares)	37,103,294	36,645,375	36,533,424
Net income per share - basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.86	$ 1.18	$ 1.45
Net income per share - diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.86	$ 1.17	$ 1.44