Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	May 09, 2023
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-13425
Entity Registrant Name	Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	CA
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-0626225
Entity Address, Address Line One	Two Westbrook Corporate Center
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 500
Entity Address, City or Town	Westchester
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Country	US
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60154
City Area Code	708
Local Phone Number	492-7000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common shares
Trading Symbol	RBA
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		181,790,031
Entity Central Index Key	0001046102
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false