Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
May 05, 2018 USD ($) stores Rate	Apr. 29, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 03, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 28, 2017 USD ($)
sales by product category	$ 5,541	$ 5,350
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	164
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets			$ 72	$ 54
Revenue Recognition, Sales Returns, Reserve for Sales Returns	$ 298	338	291
Macy's sales to total Company sales \| Rate	88.00%
Number of states in which entity operates	44
Contract with Customer, Liability	$ 71	60	73
Contract with Customer, Right to Recover Product	204	236	201
Gift Card Liability, Current	656	651	821
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	49	37	$ 58	$ 37
Net premiums on early retirement of debt	$ 0	(3)
Minimum [Member]
Number of Stores \| stores	850
Women's Accessories, Intimate Apparel, Shoes and Cosmetics [Member]
sales by product category	$ 2,165	2,069
Women's Apparel [Member]
sales by product category	1,354	1,333
Men's and Children's [Member]
sales by product category	1,175	1,115
Home and Miscellaneous [Member]
sales by product category	$ 847	$ 833

% of Macy's sales to total Company sales

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Sales dollars by product category

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liability for outstanding gift cards. Retail customers purchase gift cards or gift certificates that can be redeemed at a later date for merchandise or services; those unredeemed represent a liability of the entity because the revenue is being deferred.

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