Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jul. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 102,684	$ 86,610	$ 213,813	$ 180,145
Cost of sales		68,076	60,097	139,207	121,676
Gross profit		34,608	26,513	74,606	58,469
Research and development expenses		6,151	4,256	11,436	8,236
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		11,828	10,557	25,010	20,055
Long-lived asset impairment loss		0	0	0	259
Operating income		16,629	11,700	38,160	29,919
Other (expense) income, net		(139)	(63)	5,540	(293)
Income before income taxes		16,490	11,637	43,700	29,626
Income tax expense		2,769	3,403	7,832	9,044
Net income		13,721	8,234	35,868	20,582
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest		44	(1)	56	(1)
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.		$ 13,677	$ 8,235	$ 35,812	$ 20,583
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)		$ 0.38	$ 0.23	$ 1.00	$ 0.57
Diluted (in dollars per share)		0.38	0.23	0.98	0.56
Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.26	$ 0.26
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income		$ 13,721	$ 8,234	$ 35,868	$ 20,582
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation		(357)	810	(837)	822
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit of $2, $3, $4 and $7 respectively		(6)	(7)	(12)	(13)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(363)	803	(849)	809
Comprehensive income		13,358	9,037	35,019	21,391
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		44	(1)	56	(1)
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.		$ 13,314	$ 9,038	$ 34,963	$ 21,392

[1] There were no declared and unpaid shareholder dividends at July 31, 2018 or 2017.