Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 09, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	REALNETWORKS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001046327
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		38,228,328
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 46
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	001-37745
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	WA
Entity Tax Identification Number	91-1628146
Entity Address, City or Town	Seattle
City Area Code	(206)
Entity Address, Address Line One	1501 FIRST AVENUE SOUTH, SUITE 600
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	98134
Local Phone Number	674-2700
Document Annual Report	true
Entity Address, State or Province	WA
Document Transition Report	false