Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	May 04, 2013	Jun. 07, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Period End Date	May 04, 2013
Entity Registrant Name	BIG LOTS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000768835
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-01
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		58,304,832
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false