Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 30, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	RCUS
Entity Registrant Name	Arcus Biosciences, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001724521
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-38419
Entity Tax Identification Number	473898435
Entity Address, Address Line One	3928 Point Eden Way
Entity Address, City or Town	Hayward
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94545
City Area Code	510
Local Phone Number	694-6200
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		45,849,189