Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2020	Jan. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 348,359	$ 382,530	$ 406,668
Cost of sales	230,557	258,783	274,119
Gross profit	117,802	123,747	132,549
Research and development expenses	43,094	31,558	26,174
Selling, general and administrative expenses	55,057	52,250	51,242
Operating income	19,651	39,939	55,133
Other income (expense), net	(476)	95	6,437
Income before income taxes	19,175	40,034	61,570
Income tax expense	397	5,421	9,697
Net income	18,778	34,613	51,873
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest and redeemable noncontrolling interest	(98)	(583)	79
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 18,876	$ 35,196	$ 51,794
Net income per common share:
─ Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.98	$ 1.44
─ Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.97	$ 1.42
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 18,778	$ 34,613	$ 51,873
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	2,299	(994)	(1,045)
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $65, $251, and $(99), respectively	(225)	(865)	342
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,074	(1,859)	(703)
Comprehensive income	20,852	32,754	51,170
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest and redeemable noncontrolling interest	(98)	(583)	79
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	20,950	33,337	51,091
Supplemental Income Statement Elements [Abstract]
Income tax (expense) benefit on postretirement benefits	$ 65	$ 251	$ (99)