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	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 42,903	$ 52,545	$ 50,569
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,379,356	36,290,329	36,182,042
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	67,724	54,929	52,448
Denominator for basic calculation (in shares)	36,447,080	36,345,258	36,234,490
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,379,356	36,290,329	36,182,042
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	67,724	54,929	52,448
Dilutive impact of stock options and RSUs (in shares)	198,295	188,166	218,730
Denominator for diluted calculation (in shares)	36,645,375	36,533,424	36,453,220
Net income per share - basic (in usd per share)	$ 1.18	$ 1.45	$ 1.40
Net income per share - diluted (in usd per share)	$ 1.17	$ 1.44	$ 1.39