Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	May 19, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	RAVEN INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000082166
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,090,556