<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.26.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>103</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>222</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>27</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000100 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000200 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000250 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000300 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000400 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000500 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000600 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000650 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquityParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010101 - Disclosure - General</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/General</Role>
      <ShortName>General</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010201 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010301 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010401 - Disclosure - Financing Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FinancingArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>Financing Arrangements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010501 - Disclosure - Reportable Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ReportableSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010601 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010701 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010801 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010901 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>011001 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>011101 - Disclosure - Revenue Recognition</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/RevenueRecognition</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue Recognition</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>011201 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>019901 - Disclosure - Insider Trading Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/InsiderTradingArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>Insider Trading Arrangements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020102 - Disclosure - General (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/GeneralPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>General (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncements</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030203 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030303 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030503 - Disclosure - Reportable Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ReportableSegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ReportableSegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030603 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030703 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>031103 - Disclosure - Revenue Recognition (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/RevenueRecognitionTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue Recognition (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/RevenueRecognition</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>031203 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040101 - Disclosure - General (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/GeneralNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>General (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/GeneralPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040201 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040202 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/EarningsPerShareScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040301 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeChangesInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040401 - Disclosure - Financing Arrangements (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FinancingArrangementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financing Arrangements (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FinancingArrangements</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040501 - Disclosure - Reportable Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ReportableSegmentInformationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ReportableSegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040502 - Disclosure - Reportable Segment Information (Summary of Certain Segment Information) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ReportableSegmentInformationSummaryOfCertainSegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segment Information (Summary of Certain Segment Information) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ReportableSegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040601 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040602 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Share-Based Compensation Plans) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationShareBasedCompensationPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Share-Based Compensation Plans) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040603 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Changes in Restricted Stock Outstanding) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationScheduleOfChangesInRestrictedStockOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Changes in Restricted Stock Outstanding) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040701 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040702 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040703 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Change in Fair Value of  Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured Using Level 3 Inputs) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsChangeInFairValueOfFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredUsingLevel3InputsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Change in Fair Value of  Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured Using Level 3 Inputs) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040901 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041101 - Disclosure - Revenue Recognition (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue Recognition (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/RevenueRecognitionTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041102 - Disclosure - Revenue Recognition (Receivables and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/RevenueRecognitionReceivablesAndContractLiabilitiesFromContractsWithCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue Recognition (Receivables and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/RevenueRecognitionTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041201 - Disclosure - Leases (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041202 - Disclosure - Leases (Components of Lease Cost) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/LeasesComponentsOfLeaseCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Components of Lease Cost) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041203 - Disclosure - Leases (Components of Lease Cost - Operating Cash Flow Information) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/LeasesComponentsOfLeaseCostOperatingCashFlowInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Components of Lease Cost - Operating Cash Flow Information) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041204 - Disclosure - Leases (Components of Lease Cost - Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term and Discount Rate) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/LeasesComponentsOfLeaseCostWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTermAndDiscountRateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Components of Lease Cost - Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term and Discount Rate) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cato-20260502.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>041205 - Disclosure - Leases (Maturities of Lease Liabilities by Fiscal Year) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.catofashions.com/role/LeasesMaturitiesOfLeaseLiabilitiesByFiscalYearDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Maturities of Lease Liabilities by Fiscal Year) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.catofashions.com/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" isDefinitelyFs="true" isUsgaap="true" original="cato-20260502.htm">cato-20260502.htm</File>
    <File>cato-20260502.xsd</File>
    <File>cato-20260502_cal.xml</File>
    <File>cato-20260502_def.xml</File>
    <File>cato-20260502_lab.xml</File>
    <File>cato-20260502_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="451">http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="30">http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="4">http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
