    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0001287750-19-000004-index.html : 20190212
    <SEC-HEADER>0001287750-19-000004.hdr.sgml : 20190212
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20190211213824
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001287750-19-000004
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	10-K
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		10
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20181231
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20190212
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20190211

    FILER:

    	COMPANY DATA:
    		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARES CAPITAL CORP
    		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001287750
    		IRS NUMBER:				331089684
    		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
    		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

    	FILING VALUES:
    		FORM TYPE:		10-K
    		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	814-00663
    		FILM NUMBER:		19587433

    	BUSINESS ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		245 PARK AVENUE, 44TH FLOOR
    		CITY:			NEW YORK
    		STATE:			NY
    		ZIP:			10167
    		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127507300

    	MAIL ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		245 PARK AVENUE, 44TH FLOOR
    		CITY:			NEW YORK
    		STATE:			NY
    		ZIP:			10167
    </SEC-HEADER>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>10-K
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>arccq4-1810k.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>10-K
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: arccq4-1810k.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-3.2
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>arccq4-18exhibit32.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 3.2
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: arccq4-18exhibit32.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-10.1
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>arccq4-18exhibit101.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: arccq4-18exhibit101.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-21.1
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>arccq4-18exhibit211.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 21.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: arccq4-18exhibit211.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-31.1
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>arccq4-18exhibit311.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 31.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: arccq4-18exhibit311.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-31.2
    <SEQUENCE>6
    <FILENAME>arccq4-18exhibit312.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 31.2
    <TEXT>
    Document 6 - file: arccq4-18exhibit312.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-32.1
    <SEQUENCE>7
    <FILENAME>arccq4-18exhibit321.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 32.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 7 - file: arccq4-18exhibit321.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>8
    <FILENAME>chart-a8d6d99b7c8a5204a5f.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 8 - file: chart-a8d6d99b7c8a5204a5f.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>9
    <FILENAME>incentiveimagea23.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 9 - file: incentiveimagea23.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>10
    <FILENAME>kpmgsiga01a22.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 10 - file: kpmgsiga01a22.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    </SEC-DOCUMENT>