Net Income per Share (Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 5,517	$ 4,855
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,319,918	38,000,775
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	93,986	69,492
Denominator for basic calculation (in shares)	36,413,904	38,070,267
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,319,918	38,000,775
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	93,986	69,492
Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted units (in shares)	52,234	131,637
Denominator for diluted calculation (in shares)	36,466,138	38,201,904
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.13
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.13

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

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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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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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