Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Nov. 28, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WAL MART STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000104169
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,073,190,306
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes