Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 04, 2018 USD ($) stores Rate	Jul. 29, 2017 USD ($) Rate	Aug. 04, 2018 USD ($) stores Rate	Jul. 29, 2017 USD ($) Rate	Feb. 03, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 28, 2017 USD ($)
sales by product category	$ 5,572	$ 5,636	$ 11,112	$ 10,986
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	$ 243	$ 231	$ 243	$ 231	291
Macy's sales to total Company sales | Rate	89.00%	89.00%	88.00%	89.00%
Number of states in which entity operates	44		44
Contract with Customer, Liability	$ 48	$ 61	$ 48	$ 61	73
Contract with Customer, Right to Recover Product	165	159	165	159	201
Gift Card Liability, Current	614	596	614	596	821
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 41	40	$ 41	40	$ 58	$ 37
Premiums paid on early retirement of debt				10
Minimum [Member]
Number of Stores | stores	860		860
Women's Accessories, Intimate Apparel, Shoes and Cosmetics [Member]
sales by product category	$ 2,046	2,064	$ 4,211	4,133
Women's Apparel [Member]
sales by product category	1,351	1,409	2,705	2,742
Men's and Children's [Member]
sales by product category	1,284	1,259	2,459	2,375
Home and Miscellaneous [Member]
sales by product category	$ 891	$ 904	$ 1,737	$ 1,736