Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Apr. 09, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	SHOE CARNIVAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000895447
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 291,495,430
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		13,618,069
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 28, 2012