Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2011	May 27, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	RAVEN INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000082166
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,079,656