Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 67,518	$ 94,485	$ 137,791	$ 196,995
Cost of sales	49,660	68,827	99,574	139,571
Gross profit	17,858	25,658	38,217	57,424
Research and development expenses	3,216	4,385	6,752	9,357
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	8,213	10,577	17,822	20,839
Operating income	6,429	10,696	13,643	27,228
Other (expense), net	(266)	(59)	(310)	(138)
Income before income taxes	6,163	10,637	13,333	27,090
Income taxes	1,942	2,890	4,251	8,309
Net income	4,221	7,747	9,082	18,781
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	30	28	36	24
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 4,191	$ 7,719	$ 9,046	$ 18,757
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.21	$ 0.24	$ 0.51
Diluted (in dollars per share)	0.11	0.21	0.24	0.51
Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.12	$ 0.26	$ 0.24
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 4,221	$ 7,747	$ 9,082	$ 18,781
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(105)	(199)	(174)	(125)
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(62), $12, $(33), and $26, respectively	146	26	201	50
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	41	(173)	27	(75)
Comprehensive income	4,262	7,574	9,109	18,706
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	30	28	36	24
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 4,232	$ 7,546	$ 9,073	$ 18,682