v3.20.2

Document and Entity Information	Nov. 10, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	J C PENNEY CO INC
Document Period End Date	Nov. 10, 2020
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001166126
Document Type	8-K
Entity Incorporation State Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	1-15274
Entity Tax Identification Number	26-0037077
Entity Address, Address Line One	6501 Legacy Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Plano
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	75024-3698
City Area Code	(972)
Local Phone Number	431-1000
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false

Boolean flag that is true when the XBRL content amends previously-filed or accepted submission.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Area code of city

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Cover page.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented. If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is CCYY-MM-DD.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.

+ References

No definition available.

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Name:	dei_DocumentType
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
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- Definition

Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name

+ References

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
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- Definition

Name of the City or Town

+ References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Code for the postal or zip code

+ References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Name of the state or province.

+ References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	dei_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

+ Details

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- Definition

Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Two-character EDGAR code representing the state or country of incorporation.

+ References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	dei:edgarStateCountryItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

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- Definition

The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

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- Definition

Local phone number for entity.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 13e
-Subsection 4c

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 14d
-Subsection 2b

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Data Type:	xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Section 14a
-Number 240
-Subsection 12

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- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Securities Act
-Number 230
-Section 425

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J C PENNEY CO INC 8-K