Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 104,833	$ 101,349	$ 318,646	$ 281,494
Cost of sales	72,180	68,016	211,387	189,692
Gross profit	32,653	33,333	107,259	91,802
Research and development expenses	6,478	4,083	17,914	12,319
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	12,563	11,421	37,573	31,476
Long-lived asset impairment loss	0	0	0	259
Operating income	13,612	17,829	51,772	47,748
Other income (expense), net	674	(34)	6,214	(327)
Income before income taxes	14,286	17,795	57,986	47,421
Income tax expense	1,230	5,798	9,062	14,842
Net income	13,056	11,997	48,924	32,579
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	24	(1)	80	(2)
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 13,032	$ 11,998	$ 48,844	$ 32,581
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.33	$ 1.36	$ 0.90
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.33	$ 1.34	$ 0.89
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income	$ 13,056	$ 11,997	$ 48,924	$ 32,579
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(325)	(185)	(1,162)	637
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit of $2, $4, $6 and $11 respectively	(6)	(6)	(18)	(19)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(331)	(191)	(1,180)	618
Comprehensive income	12,725	11,806	47,744	33,197
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	24	(1)	80	(2)
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 12,701	$ 11,807	$ 47,664	$ 33,199