Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 72,522	$ 67,611	$ 208,480	$ 205,402
Cost of sales	52,683	50,639	149,609	150,213
Gross profit	19,839	16,972	58,871	55,189
Research and development expenses	4,151	4,005	12,475	10,757
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	8,212	7,480	24,174	25,302
Goodwill impairment loss	0	11,497	0	11,497
Long-lived asset impairment loss	87	3,813	87	3,813
Operating income	7,389	(9,823)	22,135	3,820
Other (expense), net	(273)	(123)	(579)	(433)
Income before income taxes	7,116	(9,946)	21,556	3,387
Income taxes	1,375	(3,780)	5,802	471
Net income	5,741	(6,166)	15,754	2,916
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0	22	1	58
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 5,741	$ (6,188)	$ 15,753	$ 2,858
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16000	$ (0.17000)	$ 0.43	$ 0.08
Diluted (in dollars per share)	0.16000	(0.17000)	0.43	0.08
Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.13000	$ 0.39	$ 0.39
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 5,741	$ (6,166)	$ 15,754	$ 2,916
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(201)	2	146	(172)
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit of $1, $62, $2, and $33, respectively	(2)	2,794	(6)	2,995
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(203)	2,796	140	2,823
Comprehensive income	5,538	(3,370)	15,894	5,739
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	22	1	58
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 5,538	$ (3,392)	$ 15,893	$ 5,681