Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 86,610	$ 67,598	$ 180,145	$ 135,958
Cost of sales	60,097	48,683	121,676	96,926
Gross profit	26,513	18,915	58,469	39,032
Research and development expenses	4,256	3,915	8,236	8,324
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	10,557	8,304	20,055	15,962
Long-lived asset impairment loss	0	0	259	0
Operating income	11,700	6,696	29,919	14,746
Other income (expense), net	(63)	(209)	(293)	(306)
Income before income taxes	11,637	6,487	29,626	14,440
Income tax expense	3,403	1,993	9,044	4,427
Net income	8,234	4,494	20,582	10,013
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(1)	(1)	(1)	1
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 8,235	$ 4,495	$ 20,583	$ 10,012
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.12	$ 0.57	$ 0.28
Diluted (in dollars per share)	0.23	0.12	0.56	0.28
Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.26	$ 0.26
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income	$ 8,234	$ 4,494	$ 20,582	$ 10,013
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	810	(265)	822	347
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $3, $1, $7 and $2, respectively	(7)	(2)	(13)	(4)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	803	(267)	809	343
Comprehensive income	9,037	4,227	21,391	10,356
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1)	(1)	(1)	1
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 9,038	$ 4,228	$ 21,392	$ 10,355