Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Warrants	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings (Deficit) Argan, Inc. Stockholders	Noncontrolling Interest	Treasury Stock
Balance at Jan. 31, 2010	$ 88,368,000	$ 2,038,000	$ 613,000	$ 87,048,000	$ (1,298,000)	$ 0	$ (33,000)
Balance, shares at Jan. 31, 2010		13,582,494
Net income (loss)	7,774,000				7,774,000
Exercise of stock options	95,000	2,000		93,000
Exercise of stock options, shares		13,500
Exercise of stock warrants	23,000		(12,000)	35,000
Exercise of stock warrants, shares		3,000
Stock option vesting	1,502,000			1,502,000
Reversal of excess tax benefit on forfeited stock options	(117,000)			(117,000)
Balance at Jan. 31, 2011	97,645,000	2,040,000	601,000	88,561,000	6,476,000	0	(33,000)
Balance, shares at Jan. 31, 2011		13,598,994
Net income (loss)	8,970,000				9,272,000	(302,000)
Exercise of stock options	507,000	8,000		499,000
Exercise of stock options, shares		55,038
Exercise of stock warrants	23,000	1,000	(11,000)	33,000
Exercise of stock warrants, shares		3,000
Stock option vesting	637,000			637,000
Reversal of excess tax benefit on forfeited stock options	(16,000)			(16,000)
Dividends	(6,804,000)				(6,804,000)
Capital contribution	1,000					1,000
Other, shares		833
Balance at Jan. 31, 2012	$ 100,963,000	$ 2,049,000	$ 590,000	$ 89,714,000	$ 8,944,000	$ (301,000)	$ (33,000)
Balance, shares at Jan. 31, 2012		13,657,865