Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 93,535	$ 68,360
Cost of sales	61,579	48,243
Gross profit	31,956	20,117
Research and development expenses	3,980	4,409
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	9,498	7,658
Long-lived asset impairment loss	259	0
Operating income	18,219	8,050
Other (expense), net	(230)	(97)
Income before income taxes	17,989	7,953
Income tax expense	5,641	2,434
Net income	12,348	5,519
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0	2
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 12,348	$ 5,517
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.34000	$ 0.15000
Diluted (in dollars per share)	0.34000	0.15000
Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.13000
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 12,348	$ 5,519
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	12	612
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $4 and ($1), respectively	(6)	(2)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	6	610
Comprehensive income	12,354	6,129
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	2
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 12,354	$ 6,127