<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.19.3.a.u2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>282</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>546</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>85</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information Document</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information Document</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Statement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLossStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Statement</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003001 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parethetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParethetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parethetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005001 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Summary of Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Summary of Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Revenues Revenues (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/RevenuesRevenuesNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues Revenues (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/ReceivablesAndAllowanceForDoubtfulAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Rental Merchandise</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/RentalMerchandise</Role>
      <ShortName>Rental Merchandise</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Property Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/PropertyAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Property Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Leases Leases (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/LeasesLeasesNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases Leases (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/IntangibleAssetsAndAcquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets and Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125100 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/AccruedLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2128100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2131100 - Disclosure - Senior Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/SeniorDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Senior Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2134100 - Disclosure - Senior Notes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/SeniorNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Senior Notes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2140100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2143100 - Disclosure - Other (Gains) and Charges</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/OtherGainsAndCharges</Role>
      <ShortName>Other (Gains) and Charges</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2146100 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2149100 - Disclosure - Deferred Compensation Plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/DeferredCompensationPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Compensation Plan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2152100 - Disclosure - 401(k) Plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/A401KPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>401(k) Plan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2155100 - Disclosure - Fair Value</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/FairValue</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2158100 - Disclosure - Stock Repurchase Plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/StockRepurchasePlan</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Repurchase Plan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2161100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2162100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2163100 - Disclosure - Unaudited Quarterly Data</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/UnauditedQuarterlyData</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Quarterly Data</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Summary of Accounting Policies Nature of Operations and Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfAccountingPoliciesNatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Summary of Accounting Policies Nature of Operations and Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Revenues Revenues (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/RevenuesRevenuesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues Revenues (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/RevenuesRevenuesNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/ReceivablesAndAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivablesAndAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Rental Merchandise Rental Merchandise (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/RentalMerchandiseRentalMerchandiseTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Rental Merchandise Rental Merchandise (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Property Assets Property Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/PropertyAssetsPropertyAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property Assets Property Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Leases Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/LeasesLeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/LeasesLeasesNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Acquisitions Intangible Assets and Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/IntangibleAssetsAndAcquisitionsIntangibleAssetsAndAcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets and Acquisitions Intangible Assets and Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2325301 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesAccruedLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2328301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2331301 - Disclosure - Senior Debt Senior Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/SeniorDebtSeniorDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Senior Debt Senior Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2343301 - Disclosure - Other (Gains) and Charges Other (Gains) and Charges (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/OtherGainsAndChargesOtherGainsAndChargesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other (Gains) and Charges Other (Gains) and Charges (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/OtherGainsAndCharges</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2346301 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/StockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2361301 - Disclosure - Segment Information Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2362301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareEarningsPerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2363301 - Disclosure - Unaudited Quarterly Data Unaudited Quarterly Data (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/UnauditedQuarterlyDataUnauditedQuarterlyDataTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Quarterly Data Unaudited Quarterly Data (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Summary of Accounting Policies Nature of Operations and Summary of Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfAccountingPoliciesNatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Summary of Accounting Policies Nature of Operations and Summary of Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfAccountingPoliciesNatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfAccountingPoliciesPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Revenues Revenues (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/RevenuesRevenuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues Revenues (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/RevenuesRevenuesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/ReceivablesAndAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivablesAndAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/ReceivablesAndAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivablesAndAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Rental Merchandise Rental Merchandise (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/RentalMerchandiseRentalMerchandiseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Rental Merchandise Rental Merchandise (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/RentalMerchandiseRentalMerchandiseTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Property Assets Property Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/PropertyAssetsPropertyAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property Assets Property Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/PropertyAssetsPropertyAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Leases Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/LeasesLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/LeasesLeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Acquisitions Intangible Assets and Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/IntangibleAssetsAndAcquisitionsIntangibleAssetsAndAcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets and Acquisitions Intangible Assets and Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/IntangibleAssetsAndAcquisitionsIntangibleAssetsAndAcquisitionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425402 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesAccruedLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428403 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Unrecognized tax benefit (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/IncomeTaxesUnrecognizedTaxBenefitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Unrecognized tax benefit (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431402 - Disclosure - Senior Debt Senior Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/SeniorDebtSeniorDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Senior Debt Senior Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/SeniorDebtSeniorDebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434401 - Disclosure - Senior Notes Senior Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/SeniorNotesSeniorNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Senior Notes Senior Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443402 - Disclosure - Other (Gains) and Charges Other (Gains) and Charges (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/OtherGainsAndChargesOtherGainsAndChargesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other (Gains) and Charges Other (Gains) and Charges (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/OtherGainsAndChargesOtherGainsAndChargesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2446402 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/StockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/StockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2449401 - Disclosure - Deferred Compensation Plan Deferred Compensation Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/DeferredCompensationPlanDeferredCompensationPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Compensation Plan Deferred Compensation Plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2452401 - Disclosure - 401(k) Plan 401(k) Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/A401KPlan401KPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>401(k) Plan 401(k) Plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2458401 - Disclosure - Stock Repurchase Plan Stock Repurchase Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/StockRepurchasePlanStockRepurchasePlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Repurchase Plan Stock Repurchase Plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2461402 - Disclosure - Segment Information Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2462402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Common Share Earnings Per Common Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareEarningsPerCommonShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Common Share Earnings Per Common Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareEarningsPerCommonShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="racq42019-form10xk.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2463402 - Disclosure - Unaudited Quarterly Data Unaudited Quarterly Data (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/UnauditedQuarterlyDataUnauditedQuarterlyDataDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Quarterly Data Unaudited Quarterly Data (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rentacenter.com/role/UnauditedQuarterlyDataUnauditedQuarterlyDataTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</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-K" original="racq42019-form10xk.htm">racq42019-form10xk.htm</File>
    <File>ex-105q42019.htm</File>
    <File>ex-211q42019.htm</File>
    <File>ex-231q42019.htm</File>
    <File>ex-232q42019.htm</File>
    <File>ex-311q42019.htm</File>
    <File>ex-312q42019.htm</File>
    <File>ex-321q42019.htm</File>
    <File>ex-322q42019.htm</File>
    <File>ex-44q42019.htm</File>
    <File>rcii-20191231.xsd</File>
    <File>rcii-20191231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>rcii-20191231_def.xml</File>
    <File>rcii-20191231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>rcii-20191231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles>
    <File>chart-61297e79b0ae5349a35.jpg</File>
  </SupplementalFiles>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
