Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage employer matches of the employee's percentage contribution matched.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercentOfMatch
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Maximum percentage of employee gross pay the employee may contribute to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeePercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

This represents the noncurrent liability for underfunded plans recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e2417-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64852052&loc=d3e1703-114919

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
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-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24)
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e2410-114920

Name:	us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

[Line Items] for Contribution expense from retirement plans [Table]

No definition available.

Name:	wmt_ContributionexpensefromretirementplansLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	wmt_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Minimum age limit of participant to defer additional earnings in catch-up contributions

No definition available.

Name:	wmt_MinimumAgeLimitOfParticipantToDeferAdditionalEarningsInCatchUpContributions
Namespace Prefix:	wmt_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Vesting percentage of matching contribution to eligible associates

No definition available.