Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015
Feb. 01, 2014
Feb. 02, 2013
Oct. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
May 04, 2013
Jun. 05, 2013
May 22, 2013
Nov. 01, 2014
Aug. 02, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt $ 893,000,000 $ 2,180,000,000 $ 0              
Loss on extinguishment of debt (34,000,000) (114,000,000) 0              
6.875% Medium-term Notes due 2015 [Member]                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent                 60,000,000 200,000,000
Tender Premium       67.50 [1]            
Principal Amount Tendered       140,000,000            
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount       140,000,000            
8.125% Senior Notes Due 2019                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent 400,000,000       400,000,000          
Debt instrument, stated interest rate (percent) 8.125%       8.125%          
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt         393,000,000          
Premium Paid [Member]                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Loss on extinguishment of debt       (29,000,000)   (110,000,000)        
Reacquisition Costs [Member]                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Loss on extinguishment of debt       (1,000,000)   (2,000,000)        
Debt Defeasance [Member]                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Debt instrument, stated interest rate (percent)       6.875%            
Loss on extinguishment of debt       (4,000,000)            
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount       64,000,000            
Unamortized Debt Issue Costs [Member]                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Loss on extinguishment of debt           (2,000,000)        
7.65% Debentures due 2016 [Member]                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent                 78,000,000 200,000,000
Tender Premium       105.00 [1]            
Principal Amount Tendered       122,000,000            
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount       122,000,000            
7.95% Debentures due 2017 [Member]                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent                 220,000,000 285,000,000
Tender Premium       97.50 [1]            
Principal Amount Tendered       194,000,000            
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount       65,000,000            
2013 Tender Offer [Member]                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Commencement of cash tender offer, date           Apr. 30, 2013        
Debt instrument, stated interest rate (percent)           7.125%        
Minimum requisite consent of note holders for proposed amendments           66.67%        
Debt redemption, percentage of principal redeemed               95.41%    
Early repayment of senior debt             3,000,000 352,000,000    
Loss on extinguishment of debt           (114,000,000)        
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount             2,000,000 243,000,000    
2014 Tender Offer [Member]                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
Repayments of Unsecured Debt       362,000,000            
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent                 358,000,000 685,000,000
Principal Amount Tendered       456,000,000            
Accrued Interest Expense, Debt       6,000,000            
Loss on extinguishment of debt       (30,000,000)            
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount       327,000,000            
2013 Term Loan Facility                    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                    
2013 Term Loan Facility, face amount               2,250,000,000.00    
2013 Term Loan Facility, term               5 years    
2013 Term Loan Facility, basis spread on variable interest rate               5.00%    
2013 Term Loan Facility, required quarterly principal payment $ 5,625,000.000                  
2013 Term Loan Facility guarantee and security The 2013 Term Loan Facility is guaranteed by J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and certain subsidiaries of JCP, and is secured by mortgages on certain real estate of JCP and the guarantors, in addition to substantially all other assets of JCP and the guarantors.                  
[1] Per $1,000 principal amount of Securities.