2.0.0.10falseBasis of Presentation00100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentationtruefalsefalsefalse1usd$falsefalsePercentStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217020low_NotesToConsolidatedFinancialStatementslowfalsenadurationstringNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements Headerfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalseNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements Headerfalse31low_BasisOfAccountingTextBlocklowfalsenadurationstringDescription of the basis of accounting used to prepare the financial statements (for example, U.S. Generally Accepted...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabelfalse1falsefalsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:12pt"><p>Note 1: Basis of Presentation - The accompanying consolidated financial statements (unaudited) and notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include all the disclosures normally required in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The consolidated financial statements (unaudited), in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position as of April 30, 2010, and May 1, 2009, and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended April 30, 2010, and May 1, 2009. <br /><br />These interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited) should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Lowe's Companies, Inc. (the Company) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2010 (the Annual Report). The financial results for the interim periods may not be indicative of the financial results for the entire fiscal year. <br /><br />Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current classifications. For the three months ended May 1, 2009, store opening costs of $13 million, which were previously reported as a single line item on the consolidated statements of current and retained earnings, have been combined with selling, general and administrative expenses. This change was not material and had no impact on the consolidated balance sheets or statements of cash flows for any of the periods presented.<br /><br />The long-term portion of the self-insurance liabilities, primarily for workers’ compensation, automobile, property, and general and product liability claims, of $469 million at May 1, 2009, previously classified as current on the consolidated balance sheets, has been reclassified to other liabilities (non-current).  The current portion of these self-insurance liabilities, previously reported as a single line item on the consolidated balance sheets, has been combined with other current liabilities.  The non-current portion of deferred income taxes related to these self-insurance liabilities has also been reclassified from current to non-current deferred income taxes in the consolidated balance sheets.  These changes were not material and had no impact on the consolidated statements of current and retained earnings or cash flows for any of the periods presented.</p></div>Note 1: Basis of Presentation - The accompanying consolidated financial statements (unaudited) and notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) arefalsefalsefalseDescription of the basis of accounting used to prepare the financial statements (for example, U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting, IFRS)No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12falseUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
