Post-retirement benefits - Summary of movement in present value of obligation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Changes in net defined benefit liability (asset) [abstract]
Beginning balance	$ (1,730)	$ (1,551)
Current employer service costs	137	125	$ 165
Past service cost	2	0	36
Settlements	1	(51)	(5)
Interest on obligation	(49)	(58)	(79)
Changes in financial assumptions (loss)	1,242	1,295	(1,382)
Arrangements added/divested	0	(5)
Currency exchange rate (loss)	(62)	(20)
Ending balance	(2,273)	(1,730)	(1,551)
Pension benefits
Changes in net defined benefit liability (asset) [abstract]
Beginning balance	(831)
Current employer service costs	131
Past service cost	2
Settlements	1
Interest on obligation	(22)
Arrangements added/divested	0
Currency exchange rate (loss)	(52)
Ending balance	(1,305)	(831)
Other Benefits
Changes in net defined benefit liability (asset) [abstract]
Beginning balance	(899)
Arrangements added/divested	0
Currency exchange rate (loss)	(10)
Ending balance	(968)	(899)
Present value of defined benefit obligation
Changes in net defined benefit liability (asset) [abstract]
Beginning balance	(15,653)	(14,754)
Current employer service costs	(137)	(125)
Past service cost	(2)	0
Settlements	6	638
Interest on obligation	(384)	(476)
Contributions by plan participants	(22)	(23)
Benefits paid	778	862
Experience gains	61	111
Changes in financial assumptions (loss)	(1,442)	(1,447)
Changes in demographic assumptions gain	139	41
Arrangements added/divested	0	(5)
Currency exchange rate (loss)	(522)	(475)
Ending balance	(17,178)	(15,653)	$ (14,754)
Present value of defined benefit obligation \| Pension benefits
Changes in net defined benefit liability (asset) [abstract]
Beginning balance	(14,754)
Current employer service costs	(131)
Past service cost	(2)
Settlements	6
Interest on obligation	(357)
Contributions by plan participants	(22)
Benefits paid	746
Experience gains	46
Changes in financial assumptions (loss)	(1,357)
Changes in demographic assumptions gain	127
Arrangements added/divested	0
Currency exchange rate (loss)	(512)
Ending balance	(16,210)	(14,754)
Present value of defined benefit obligation \| Other Benefits
Changes in net defined benefit liability (asset) [abstract]
Beginning balance	(899)
Current employer service costs	(6)
Past service cost	0
Settlements	0
Interest on obligation	(27)
Contributions by plan participants	0
Benefits paid	32
Experience gains	15
Changes in financial assumptions (loss)	(85)
Changes in demographic assumptions gain	12
Arrangements added/divested	0
Currency exchange rate (loss)	(10)
Ending balance	$ (968)	$ (899)

The decrease (increase) in a net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from actuarial gains (losses) arising from changes in demographic assumptions that result in remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability (asset). Demographic assumptions deal with matters such as: (a) mortality; (b) rates of employee turnover, disability and early retirement; (c) the proportion of plan members with dependants who will be eligible for benefits; (d) the proportion of plan members who will select each form of payment option available under the plan terms; and (e) claim rates under medical plans. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 141
-Subparagraph c
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_141_c_ii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ActuarialGainsLossesArisingFromChangesInDemographicAssumptionsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The decrease (increase) in a net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from actuarial gains (losses) arising from changes in financial assumptions that result in remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability (asset). Financial assumptions deal with items such as: (a) the discount rate; (b) benefit levels, excluding any cost of the benefits to be met by employees, and future salary; (c) in the case of medical benefits, future medical costs, including claim handling costs (ie the costs that will be incurred in processing and resolving claims, including legal and adjuster's fees); and (d) taxes payable by the plan on contributions relating to service before the reporting date or on benefits resulting from that service. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 141
-Subparagraph c
-Clause iii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_141_c_iii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ActuarialGainsLossesArisingFromChangesInFinancialAssumptionsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The decrease (increase) in a net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from actuarial gains (losses) arising from experience adjustments that result in remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability (asset). Experience adjustments deal with the effects of differences between the previous actuarial assumptions and what has actually occurred. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 141
-Subparagraph c
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_141_c&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ActuarialGainsLossesArisingFromExperienceAdjustmentsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of benefits paid or payable for retirement benefit plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 26
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 35
-Subparagraph b
-Clause v
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=26&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_35_b_v&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_BenefitsPaidOrPayable
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ChangesInNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The decrease (increase) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from contributions to a defined benefit plan by plan participants. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset); Defined benefit plans [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 141
-Subparagraph f
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_141_f&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ContributionsToPlanByPlanParticipantsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from employee service in the current period. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 141
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_141_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CurrentServiceCostNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The decrease (increase) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from settlements. Settlements are transactions that eliminate all further legal or constructive obligations for part or all of the benefits provided under a defined benefit plan, other than a payment of benefits to, or on behalf of, employees that is set out in the terms of the plan and included in the actuarial assumptions. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset); Defined benefit plans [member]; Actuarial assumptions [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 141
-Subparagraph d
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_141_d&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_GainsLossesArisingFromSettlementsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 141
-Subparagraph e
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_141_e&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInForeignExchangeRatesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from the passage of time. [Refer: Interest expense; Net defined benefit liability (asset)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 141
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_141_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_InterestExpenseIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of deficit or surplus in a defined benefit plan, adjusted for any effect of limiting a net defined benefit asset to the asset ceiling. [Refer: Defined benefit plans [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 140
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_140_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from past service cost. Past service cost is the change in the present value of the defined benefit obligation for employee service in prior periods, resulting from a plan amendment (the introduction or withdrawal of, or changes to, a defined benefit plan) or a curtailment (a significant reduction by the entity in the number of employees covered by a plan). [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset); Defined benefit plans [member]]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_PastServiceCostNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Liability asset of defined benefit plans arrangements divested.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rio_LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlansArrangementsDivested
Namespace Prefix:	rio_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CharacteristicsOfDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=ifrs-full_PensionDefinedBenefitPlansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CharacteristicsOfDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=rio_OtherDefinedBenefitPlansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAxis=ifrs-full_PresentValueOfDefinedBenefitObligationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: