Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2020	Mar. 27, 2020	Aug. 03, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Feb. 01, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-08897
Entity Registrant Name	BIG LOTS INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity Tax Identification Number	06-1119097
Entity Address, Address Line One	4900 E. Dublin-Granville Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Columbus
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	43081
City Area Code	614
Local Phone Number	278-6800
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	BIG
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
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 960,187,737
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		39,166,689
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0000768835
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Amendment Flag	false