Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	CRNX
Entity Registrant Name	Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001658247
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	true
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-38583
Entity Tax Identification Number	26-3744114
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Document Transition Report	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity Address, Address Line One	10222 Barnes Canyon Road
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Bldg. #2
Entity Address, City or Town	San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92121
City Area Code	858
Local Phone Number	450-6464
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,883,582