Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	May 04, 2013	Jun. 04, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	May 04, 2013
Entity Registrant Name	SHOE CARNIVAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000895447
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-01
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,469,975