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
Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 4,855us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 11,038us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	38,000,775	36,425,706
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	69,492	71,711
Denominator for basic calculation (in shares)	38,070,267	36,497,417
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	38,000,775	36,425,706
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	69,492	71,711
Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted units (in shares)	131,637	230,906
Denominator for diluted calculation (in shares)	38,201,904	36,728,323
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.30us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.30us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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- Definition

Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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- Definition

This element represents the weighted average total number of shares issued throughout the period including the first (beginning balance outstanding) and last (ending balance outstanding) day of the period before considering any reductions (for instance, shares held in treasury) to arrive at the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Weighted average relates to the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares have been issued and outstanding to the total time in that period. Such concept is used in determining the weighted average number of shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share (basic).

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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Number of shares of restricted stock determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that restricted shares have been outstanding to the total time in that period. Restricted shares are subject to sales, contractual, regulatory or other restrictions that prevent or inhibit the holder from freely disposing of them before the restriction ends.

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