Quarterly Results (unaudited) (Unaudited Quarterly Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Nov. 03, 2018	Aug. 04, 2018	May 05, 2018	Feb. 03, 2018	Oct. 28, 2017	Jul. 29, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,455	$ 5,404	$ 5,572	$ 5,541	$ 8,672	$ 5,281	$ 5,636	$ 5,350	$ 24,971	$ 24,939	$ 25,908
Credit Card Revenues, Net	240	185	186	157	229	145	167	161	768	702	656
Cost of sales	(5,288)	(3,226)	(3,320)	(3,382)	(5,323)	(3,152)	(3,403)	(3,303)	(15,215)	(15,181)	(15,666)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(2,538)	(2,255)	(2,164)	(2,083)	(2,548)	(2,188)	(2,161)	(2,057)	(9,039)	(8,954)	(9,257)
Gains on sale of real estate	278	42	46	24	368	65	43	68	389	544	209
Restructuring, impairment, store closing and other costs	(97)	(3)	(17)	(19)	(152)	(33)	0	0	(136)	(186)	(479)
Benefit plan income, net	8	9	11	11	15	15	14	13	39	57	55
Settlement charges	(15)	(23)	(50)	0	(32)	(22)	(51)	0	(88)	(105)	(98)
Net income attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 740	$ 62	$ 166	$ 139	$ 1,347	$ 30	$ 111	$ 78	$ 1,108	$ 1,566	$ 627
Basic earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 2.40	$ 0.20	$ 0.54	$ 0.45	$ 4.41	$ 0.10	$ 0.36	$ 0.26	$ 3.60	$ 5.13	$ 2.03
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 2.37	$ 0.20	$ 0.53	$ 0.45	$ 4.38	$ 0.10	$ 0.36	$ 0.26	$ 3.56	$ 5.10	$ 2.02