Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2015	Sep. 03, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Aug. 01, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	SHOE CARNIVAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000895447
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,475,483