Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 101,349	$ 72,522	$ 281,494	$ 208,480
Cost of sales	68,016	52,683	189,692	149,609
Gross profit	33,333	19,839	91,802	58,871
Research and development expenses	4,083	4,151	12,319	12,475
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	11,421	8,212	31,476	24,174
Long-lived asset impairment loss	0	87	259	87
Operating income	17,829	7,389	47,748	22,135
Other income (expense), net	(34)	(273)	(327)	(579)
Income before income taxes	17,795	7,116	47,421	21,556
Income tax expense	5,798	1,375	14,842	5,802
Net income	11,997	5,741	32,579	15,754
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(1)	0	(2)	1
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 11,998	$ 5,741	$ 32,581	$ 15,753
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.16	$ 0.90	$ 0.43
Diluted (in dollars per share)	0.33	0.16	0.89	0.43
Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.39	$ 0.39
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income	$ 11,997	$ 5,741	$ 32,579	$ 15,754
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(185)	(201)	637	146
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $4, $2, $11 and $4, respectively	(6)	(2)	(19)	(6)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(191)	(203)	618	140
Comprehensive income	11,806	5,538	33,197	15,894
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1)	0	(2)	1
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 11,807	$ 5,538	$ 33,199	$ 15,893