Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011
Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Number of officers and select employees eligible for SERP benefits	36
Number of total participants in SERP benefits plan	61
Number of beneficiaries eligible for SERP benefits	1
Number of retirees employees eligible for SERP benefits	24
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 144	$ 116
Cost currently in accumulated other comprehensive earnings expected to be recognized as components of SERP expense	7
Expected contributions in next fiscal year	6
Expected benefit payments in next fiscal year	$ 6

Number Of Beneficiary Eligible For Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefits

No definition available.

Name:	jwn_NumberOfBeneficiaryEligibleForSupplementalRetirementPlanBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	jwn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of officers and select employees eligible for Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan benefits.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	jwn_NumberOfOfficersAndSelectEmployeesEligibleForSupplementalRetirementPlanBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	jwn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number Of Retirees Eligible For Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefits

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	jwn_NumberOfRetireesEligibleForSupplementalRetirementPlanBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	jwn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number Of Total participants Eligible For Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefits

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	jwn_NumberOfTotalParticipantsEligibleForSupplementalRetirementPlanBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	jwn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	jwn_PostretirementBenefitsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	jwn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For defined benefit pension plans, the actuarial present value of benefits (whether vested or nonvested) attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered before a specified date and based on employee service and compensation (if applicable) before that date. The accumulated benefit obligation differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumption about future compensation levels. For plans with flat-benefit or nonpay-related pension benefit formulas, the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligation are the same.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Accumulated Benefit Obligation

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503844

+ Details

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

- Definition

The aggregate amount in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost over the fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position presented, including the net gain (loss), net prior service cost or credit, and net transition asset or obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph s

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 158

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (s)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsThatWillBeAmortizedFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossInNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of the benefits expected to be paid in Year 1.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInYearOne
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant