Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 85,179	$ 98,058	$ 171,675	$ 196,236
Cost of sales	55,047	66,720	113,076	129,832
Gross profit	30,132	31,338	58,599	66,404
Research and development expenses	10,808	7,067	21,313	14,338
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	13,181	13,701	27,204	26,375
Operating income	6,143	10,570	10,082	25,691
Other income (expense), net	377	383	(91)	314
Income before income taxes	6,520	10,953	9,991	26,005
Income tax expense	701	2,187	223	4,029
Net income	5,819	8,766	9,768	21,976
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling interest	0	0	(98)	0
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 5,819	$ 8,766	$ 9,866	$ 21,976
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.24	$ 0.27	$ 0.61
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.24	$ 0.27	$ 0.60
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 5,819	$ 8,766	$ 9,768	$ 21,976
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	1,868	1	(711)	(303)
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit of $1, $3, $2 and $7, respectively	(2)	(13)	(5)	(25)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,866	(12)	(716)	(328)
Comprehensive income	7,685	8,754	9,052	21,648
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling interest	0	0	(98)	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	7,685	8,754	9,150	21,648
Other comprehensive income, postretirement benefits, income tax benefit	$ 1	$ 3	$ 2	$ 7