Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2020	Apr. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 86,496	$ 98,178
Cost of sales	58,029	63,112
Gross profit	28,467	35,066
Research and development expenses	10,505	7,271
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	14,023	12,674
Operating income	3,939	15,121
Other income (expense), net	(468)	(69)
Income before income taxes	3,471	15,052
Income tax expense (benefit)	(478)	1,842
Net income	3,949	13,210
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling interest	(98)	0
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 4,047	$ 13,210
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.37
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.11	$ 0.36
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income	$ 3,949	$ 13,210
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(2,579)	(304)
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit of $1 and $4, respectively	(3)	(12)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,582)	(316)
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,367	12,894
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling interest	(98)	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	1,465	12,894
Other comprehensive income, postretirement benefits, income tax (expense) benefit	$ 1	$ 4