Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2018	Apr. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 111,129	$ 93,535
Cost of sales	71,131	61,579
Gross profit	39,998	31,956
Research and development expenses	5,285	3,980
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	13,182	9,498
Long-lived asset impairment loss	0	259
Operating income	21,531	18,219
Other income (expense), net	5,679	(230)
Income before income taxes	27,210	17,989
Income tax expense	5,063	5,641
Net income	22,147	12,348
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	12	0
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 22,135	$ 12,348
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62	$ 0.34
Diluted (in dollars per share)	0.61	0.34
Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.13
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income	$ 22,147	$ 12,348
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(480)	12
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit of $2 and $4, respectively	(6)	(6)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(486)	6
Comprehensive income	21,661	12,354
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	12	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 21,649	$ 12,354