Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	May. 27, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2016
Entity Registrant Name	SHOE CARNIVAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000895447
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,640,900