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Cash and cash equivalents - Additional information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
--- | --- | ---
Disclosure of cash and cash equivalents [Line Items] |  |
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | $ 315 | $ 186
Repayment of third party borrowings | 245 | 142
Subsidiaries [Member] |  |
Disclosure of cash and cash equivalents [Line Items] |  |
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 1,644 | 1,090
Repayment of third party borrowings | $ 1,442 | $ 864

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- Definition The amount of cash and cash equivalents whose use or withdrawal is restricted. [Refer: Cash and cash equivalents] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 55 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_55&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Disclosure of cash and cash equivalents [Line Items] + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Restricted cash and cash equivalent available to repay borrowings. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentAvailableToRepayBorrowings
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=ifrs-full_SubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |