Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	ravn_BasisOfPresentationAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ravn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Pre-Contract Costs [Abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ravn_PreContractCostsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ravn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Variable Interest Entity, acquisition date equity method investment: The date the Company acquired equity interest in a VIE

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ravn_VariableInterestEntityacquisitiondateequitymethodinvestment
Namespace Prefix:	ravn_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Variable Interest Entity, name of investee equity method investment: The name of the investee whose equity securities the Company acquired.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ravn_VariableInterestEntitynameofinvesteeequitymethodinvestment
Namespace Prefix:	ravn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of deferred costs for long-term contracts and programs. Includes, but is not limited to, initial tooling costs and deferred production costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(6)(d)(i))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmountOfDeferredCostsRelatedToLongTermContracts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=79982066&loc=d3e1392-128463

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of deposits held by branches of foreign institutions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 505
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84167132&loc=d3e65207-112826

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForeignFinancialInstitutionsActualDeposits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwillAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the effect of a change in accounting principle on diluted earnings per share.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22580-107794

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96947427&loc=d3e1252-109256

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96947427&loc=d3e1278-109256

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfChangeOnDilutedEarningsPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the effect of a change in accounting principle on net income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22580-107794

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfChangeOnNetIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsAndChangesInAccountingPrinciplesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of reporting units tested for impairment of goodwill. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow to a noncontrolling interest. Includes, but not limited to, reduction of noncontrolling interest ownership. Excludes dividends paid to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ravn_AppliedTechnologyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ravn_EngineeredFilmsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ravn_AerostarMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=ravn_FurnitureFixturesOfficeEquipmentAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=ravn_AerostarIntegratedSystemsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=ravn_AgEagleAerialSystemsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=ravn_SstMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	Apr. 30, 2016 ReportingUnits	Jan. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018 USD ($) Divisions	Jan. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018 USD ($) ReportingUnits	Jan. 31, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($) ReportingUnits	Jan. 31, 2016 ReportingUnits
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
Number of divisions operated in by Parent	3		3		3		3	4
Noncontrolling Interest
Payments to noncontrolling Interests				$ 0			$ 0
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash held outside the United States		$ 4,101,000	$ 4,101,000	4,101,000	$ 4,101,000	$ 4,101,000	2,281,000
Pre-Contract Costs [Abstract]
Pre-contract costs deferred to inventory		$ 0	$ 0	0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of change on net income				$ 692,000
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of change on diluted earnings per share \| $ / shares						$ 0.02
Minimum
Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life, minimum, years		3 years
Maximum
Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life, minimum, years		20 years
Building and Improvements [Member] \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful lives		15 years
Building and Improvements [Member] \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful lives		39 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Applied Technology \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful lives		3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Applied Technology \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful lives		5 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Engineered Films \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful lives		5 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Engineered Films \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful lives		12 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Aerostar \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful lives		3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Aerostar \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful lives		5 years
Furniture, Fixtures, Office Equipment and Other [Member] \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful lives		3 years
Furniture, Fixtures, Office Equipment and Other [Member] \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful lives		7 years
Aerostar Integrated Systems [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest
Joint venture, ownership percentage		75.00%	75.00%	75.00%	75.00%	75.00%
AgEagle Aerial Systems \| Applied Technology
Equity Investments [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, acquisition date equity method investment		2016-02
Percentage of voting interest acquired		5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Variable Interest Entity, name of investee equity method investment		Ag-Eagle Aerial Systems, Inc.
SST \| Applied Technology
Equity Investments [Abstract]
Percentage of voting interest acquired		22.00%	22.00%	22.00%	22.00%	22.00%
Variable Interest Entity, name of investee equity method investment		Site-Specific Technology Development Group, Inc.