Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2016	Mar. 25, 2016	Aug. 01, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	BIG LOTS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000768835
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-30
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		49,683,394
Entity Public Float			$ 2,100,837,274
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 30, 2016