v3.19.3
Document and Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Nov. 02, 2019
Feb. 02, 2019
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Nov. 02, 2019  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Entity Registrant Name THE CATO CORPORATION  
Entity Central Index Key 0000018255  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --02-01  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Security 12b Title Class A - Common Stock, par value $.033 per share  
Trading Symbol CATO  
Security Exchange Name NYSE  
Entity File Number 1-31340  
Entity Incorporation State Country Code DE  
Entity TaxIdentification Number 56-0484485  
Entity Address Address Line 1 8100 Denmark Road  
Entity Address City Or Town Charlotte  
Entity Address State Or Province NC  
Entity Address Postal Zip Code 28273-5975  
City Area Code (704)  
Local Phone Number 554-8510  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Transition Report false  
Common Class A [Member]    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Common Stock Shares Issued 22,873,215 22,838,149
Common Class B [Member]    
Class of Stock [Line Items]    
Common Stock Shares Issued 1,763,652 1,763,652