Quarterly Results (unaudited) (Unaudited Quarterly Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Aug. 01, 2015	May. 02, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 01, 2014	Aug. 02, 2014	May. 03, 2014	Jan. 30, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,869	$ 5,874	$ 6,104	$ 6,232	$ 9,364	$ 6,195	$ 6,267	$ 6,279	$ 27,079	$ 28,105	$ 27,931
Cost of sales	(5,549)	(3,537)	(3,610)	(3,800)	(5,589)	(3,766)	(3,672)	(3,836)	(16,496)	(16,863)	(16,725)
Gross margin	3,320	2,337	2,494	2,432	3,775	2,429	2,595	2,443	10,583	11,242	11,206
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(2,207)	(1,968)	(2,058)	(2,023)	(2,324)	(2,007)	(2,024)	(2,000)	(8,256)	(8,355)	(8,440)
Impairments, store closing and other costs	(177)	(111)	0	0	(87)	0	0	0	(288)	(87)	(88)
Net income attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 544	$ 118	$ 217	$ 193	$ 793	$ 217	$ 292	$ 224	$ 1,072	$ 1,526	$ 1,486
Basic earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 1.74	$ 0.36	$ 0.65	$ 0.57	$ 2.30	$ 0.62	$ 0.81	$ 0.61	$ 3.26	$ 4.30	$ 3.93
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 1.73	$ 0.36	$ 0.64	$ 0.56	$ 2.26	$ 0.61	$ 0.80	$ 0.60	$ 3.22	$ 4.22	$ 3.86