Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2012	Aug. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SHOE CARNIVAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000895447
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,459,945
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 28, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2