Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 02, 2019	Nov. 27, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Nov. 02, 2019
Entity Registrant Name	SHOE CARNIVAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000895447
Trading Symbol	SCVL
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,193,253
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	0-21360
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	IN
Entity Tax Identification Number	35-1736614
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Address, Address Line One	7500 East Columbia Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Evansville
Entity Address, State or Province	IN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	47715
City Area Code	812
Local Phone Number	867-6471
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false