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Operating segments - Reconciliation of net earnings/(losses) to underlying earnings (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Exchange and Derivative Gains (Losses), Pre-Tax [Abstract]      
Underlying Earnings Before Tax $ 18,282    
Impairment charges, pre tax (1,243) $ (3,487) $ (132)
Net gains on consolidation and disposal of interests in businesses, Pre-tax 0    
– Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances and derivatives, Pre-tax (1,138)    
Gain/(losses) on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Pre-tax (142)    
(Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Pre-tax 33    
Net losses from movements to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites), Pre-tax (401)    
Other Exclusions From Underlying Earnings Before Tax 0    
Items Excluded From Underlying Earnings Before Tax (2,891)    
Profit before taxation 15,391 11,119 18,167
Exchange And Derivative Gains Losses Tax [Abstract]      
Underlying Earnings Tax (5,195)    
Impairment charges, Tax 128    
Net gains on consolidation and disposal of interests in businesses, Tax 0    
– Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances and derivatives, Tax 5    
- Gain/(losses) on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Tax (19)    
- (Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Tax (10)    
Net losses from movements to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites), Tax 100    
Tax Effect Of Other Exclusions 0    
Total excluded from underlying earnings, Tax 204    
Taxation (4,991) (4,147) (4,242)
Exchange and derivative gains/(losses, Non-controlling interests      
Underlying Earnings Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests (639)    
Impairment charges, Non-controlling interests 0 1,506 3
Net gains on consolidation and disposal of interests in businesses, Non-controlling interests 0    
– Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances and drivatives, Non-controlling interests 8    
– (Losses)/gains on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting 4    
– Gains/(losses) on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting (5)    
Net losses from movements to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites), Non-controlling interests 1    
Other Exclusions From Underlying Earnings, Attributable to Noncontrolling interests 0    
Total excluded from underlying earnings, Non-controlling interests 8    
Profit after tax for the year – attributable to non-controlling interests (631) 1,038 (287)
Exchange and derivative gains/(losses), Net      
Underlying earnings, Net 12,448 10,373 8,808
Impairment charge, net amount (1,115) (1,658) (104)
Net gains on consolidation and disposal of interests in businesses, Net 0 (291) 3,996
– Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances and derivatives, Net (1,125) 51 550
– (Losses)/gains on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting (157) (59) (48)
– Gains/(losses) on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting 18 (192) 202
Net losses from movements to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites) (300) 0 (335)
Gain relating to surplus land at Kitimat 0 0 569
Other Exclusions From Underlying Earnings Net 0 (214) 0
Total excluded from underlying earnings, Net (2,679) (2,363) 4,830
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto $ 9,769 $ 8,010 $ 13,638