Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2021	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2021	Jul. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 114,426	$ 85,179	$ 226,912	$ 171,675
Cost of sales	72,257	55,047	144,757	113,076
Gross profit	42,169	30,132	82,155	58,599
Research and development expenses	12,465	10,808	23,927	21,313
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	21,370	13,181	38,321	27,204
Operating income	8,334	6,143	19,907	10,082
Other income (expense), net	(276)	377	(246)	(91)
Income before income taxes	8,058	6,520	19,661	9,991
Income tax expense	1,205	701	3,188	223
Net income	6,853	5,819	16,473	9,768
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	(98)
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	$ 6,853	$ 5,819	$ 16,473	$ 9,866
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.16	$ 0.46	$ 0.27
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.16	$ 0.45	$ 0.27
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 6,853	$ 5,819	$ 16,473	$ 9,768
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(978)	1,868	1,366	(711)
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax (expense) benefit $(6), $1 and $(11) and $2, respectively	20	(2)	40	(5)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(958)	1,866	1,406	(716)
Comprehensive income	5,895	7,685	17,879	9,052
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	(98)
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.	5,895	7,685	17,879	9,150
Supplemental Income Statement Elements [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, Tax	$ (6)	$ 1	$ (11)	$ 2