Net Income per Share (Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 8,333	$ 11,546	$ 22,336	$ 30,589
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,375,172	36,286,300	36,355,522	36,265,479
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	70,956	56,623	64,105	52,896
Denominator for basic calculation (in shares)	36,446,128	36,342,923	36,419,627	36,318,375
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,375,172	36,286,300	36,355,522	36,265,479
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	70,956	56,623	64,105	52,896
Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted units (in shares)	164,079	222,068	180,736	226,296
Denominator for diluted calculation (in shares)	36,610,207	36,564,991	36,600,363	36,544,671
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.32	$ 0.61	$ 0.84
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.32	$ 0.61	$ 0.84