Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 96,607,000	$ 100,533,000	$ 268,282,000	$ 296,769,000
Cost of sales	62,083,000	70,229,000	175,159,000	200,061,000
Gross profit	34,524,000	30,304,000	93,123,000	96,708,000
Research and development expenses	10,949,000	7,662,000	32,262,000	22,000,000
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	14,284,000	11,310,000	41,488,000	37,685,000
Operating income	9,291,000	11,332,000	19,373,000	37,023,000
Other income (expense), net	(423,000)	84,000	(514,000)	398,000
Income before income taxes	8,868,000	11,416,000	18,859,000	37,421,000
Income tax expense	140,000	1,483,000	363,000	5,512,000
Net income	8,728,000	9,933,000	18,496,000	31,909,000
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling interest	0	(1,000)	(98,000)	(1,000)
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 8,728,000	$ 9,934,000	$ 18,594,000	$ 31,910,000
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.28	$ 0.52	$ 0.89
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.28	$ 0.51	$ 0.88
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 8,728,000	$ 9,933,000	$ 18,496,000	$ 31,909,000
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	148,000	(40,000)	(563,000)	(343,000)
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit of $1, $4, $3 and $11, respectively	(2,000)	(12,000)	(7,000)	(37,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	146,000	(52,000)	(570,000)	(380,000)
Comprehensive income	8,874,000	9,881,000	17,926,000	31,529,000
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling interest	0	(1,000)	(98,000)	(1,000)
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	8,874,000	9,882,000	18,024,000	31,530,000
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, Tax	$ 1,000	$ 4,000	$ 3,000	$ 11,000