Amount Of Indebtedness Due Prior To Maturity Which Would Result In Default Under Credit Agreements

No definition available.

Name:	m_AmountOfIndebtednessDuePriorToMaturityWhichWouldResultInDefaultUnderCreditAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount Of Outstanding Debt Repaid At Maturity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	m_AmountOfOutstandingDebtRepaidAtMaturity
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Commercial Paper Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	m_CommercialPaperFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

commercial paper maximum borrowings

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	m_Commercialpapermaximumborrowings
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cross Default Provision In Credit Agreement Floor

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	m_CrossDefaultProvisionInCreditAgreementFloor
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Compliance-Interest Coverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	m_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantComplianceInterestCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Compliance-Leverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	m_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantComplianceLeverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms-Interest Coverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	m_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsInterestCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms-Leverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	m_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsLeverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum Specified Non Recurring Cash Charges In Credit Agreement

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	m_MaximumSpecifiedNonRecurringCashChargesInCreditAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Stand-by letter of credit facility amount Outstanding

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	m_StandByLetterOfCreditFacilityAmountOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt before deduction of unamortized discount or premium. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, with initial maturities beyond one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20
-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12355-112629

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value, as of the date of each statement of financial position presented, of other assets which are owned but transferred to serve as collateral for the payment of the related debt obligation, and that are reclassified and separately reported in the statement of financial position because the transferee has the right by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge them.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6467456&loc=d3e113888-111728

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedOtherAssetsPledgedAsCollateralAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow during the period from additional borrowings in aggregate debt. Includes proceeds from short-term and long-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis=m_EightPointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorDebenturesDueTwoThousandThirtyFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis=m_SevenPointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFifteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis=m_OtherStandbyAndCommercialLettersOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=m_Threepointfourfiveseniornotesdue2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=m_ThreepointsixtwofivepercentseniornotesduetwothousandtwentyfourMemberMemberMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=m_SevenPointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandFifteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=m_A4.375Seniornotesdue2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=m_ThreePointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=m_FivePointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorDebenturesDueTwoThousandFortyTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=m_A2875SeniorNotesDue2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=m_A43SeniorNotesDue2043Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=m_FourpointfivepercentseniornotesduetwothousandthirtyfourMemberMemberMemberMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_FinancialStandbyLetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis=us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Financing (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Financing (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) Rate	Nov. 01, 2014 USD ($)	Jan. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 01, 2014 USD ($)
Extinguishment of debt				$ 407
Long-term debt			$ 6,756	8,219
Additional interest expense from early repurchase of debt			0	17	$ 0
Amount of outstanding debt repaid at maturity			69	453	109
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			1,500
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity at Company's option			$ 1,750
Interest coverage ratio			8.85
Leverage ratio			2.21
Minimum specified interest coverage ratio in credit agreement			3.25
Maximum specified leverage ratio in credit agreement			3.75
Amount non-recurring cash charges may not exceed in credit agreement			$ 400
Amount of indebtedness due prior to maturity that would result in default under credit agreements			150
Cross Default Provision In Credit Agreement Floor			100
Commercial paper			1,500
commercial paper maximum borrowings			1,100
Prepaid expenses and other current assets pledged as collateral for debt security			37
8.125% Senior Debentures Due 2035 [Member]
Extinguishment of debt	$ 76		76	$ 0	0
Debt instrument interest rate, stated percentage \| Rate	8.125%
7.875% Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Debt instrument interest rate, stated percentage				7.875%
Other Standby and Commercial Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt instrument, principal outstanding			21	$ 29
3.45% senior notes due 2021 [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt			$ 500
Debt instrument interest rate, stated percentage			3.45%
Debt instrument, principal outstanding			$ 500	0
3.625% senior notes due 2024[Member] [Member] [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt		$ 500
Debt instrument interest rate, stated percentage		3.625%
Debt instrument, principal outstanding			500	500
7.875% Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Extinguishment of debt			0	407	0
4.375% Senior notes due 2023 [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt					$ 400
Debt instrument interest rate, stated percentage					4.375%
Debt instrument, principal outstanding			400	400
3.875% Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt instrument, principal outstanding			550	550
5.125% Senior debentures due 2042 [Member]
Debt instrument, principal outstanding			250	250
2.875% Senior notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt instrument, principal outstanding			750	750
4.3% Senior notes due 2043 [Member]
Debt instrument, principal outstanding			250	250
4.5% senior notes due 2034[Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt				$ 550
Debt instrument interest rate, stated percentage				4.50%
Debt instrument, principal outstanding			550	$ 550
Maximum [Member] \| Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
Stand-by letter of credit facility amount outstanding			1
Carrying Amount
Long-term debt			$ 6,966	$ 7,204