Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2022	Mar. 23, 2022	Aug. 14, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 29, 2022
Entity File Number	1-303
Entity Registrant Name	THE KROGER CO.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity Tax Identification Number	31-0345740
Entity Address, Address Line One	1014 Vine Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Cincinnati
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	45202
City Area Code	513
Local Phone Number	762-4000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common, $1.00 Par Value
Trading Symbol	KR
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 31.8
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		723,308,230
Auditor Name	PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Auditor Firm ID	238
Auditor Location	Cincinnati, Ohio
Entity Listing, Par Value Per Share	$ 1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-29
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0000056873
Amendment Flag	false