Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2020	May 31, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	QAD INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001036188
Trading Symbol	qada
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		17,114,769
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		3,321,002