Document and Entity Information Document - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Jun. 02, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Period End Date	Apr. 29, 2017
Entity Registrant Name	BIG LOTS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000768835
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 Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,212,485
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false