Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 03, 2012	Mar. 16, 2012	Jul. 29, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	DOLLAR GENERAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000029534
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Feb. 03, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-03
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 3.12
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		338,091,175
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY