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, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 7,719	$ 8,333	$ 18,757	$ 22,336
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,462,600	36,375,172	36,444,153	36,355,522
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	68,414	70,956	70,063	64,105
Denominator for basic calculation (in shares)	36,531,014	36,446,128	36,514,216	36,419,627
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	36,462,600	36,375,172	36,444,153	36,355,522
Weighted average stock units outstanding (in shares)	68,414	70,956	70,063	64,105
Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted units (in shares)	203,703	164,079	213,502	180,736
Denominator for diluted calculation (in shares)	36,734,717	36,610,207	36,727,718	36,600,363
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.23	$ 0.51	$ 0.61
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.23	$ 0.51	$ 0.61