Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2020	Jan. 31, 2019	Jan. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 382,530	$ 406,668	$ 377,317
Cost of sales	258,783	274,119	255,752
Gross profit	123,747	132,549	121,565
Research and development expenses	31,558	26,174	16,936
Selling, general and administrative expenses	52,250	51,242	45,200
Long-lived asset impairment loss	0	0	259
Operating income	39,939	55,133	59,170
Other income (expense), net	95	6,437	(184)
Income before income taxes	40,034	61,570	58,986
Income tax expense	5,421	9,697	17,967
Net income	34,613	51,873	41,019
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(583)	79	(3)
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 35,196	$ 51,794	$ 41,022
Net income per common share:
─ Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.98	$ 1.44	$ 1.14
─ Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.97	$ 1.42	$ 1.13
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 34,613	$ 51,873	$ 41,019
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(994)	(1,045)	1,234
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $251, $(99), and $44, respectively	(865)	342	(131)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(1,859)	(703)	1,103
Comprehensive income	32,754	51,170	42,122
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(583)	79	(3)
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	33,337	51,091	42,125
Income tax (expense) benefit on postretirement benefits	$ 251	$ (99)	$ 44