Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	RS INVESTMENT TRUST
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	May 01, 2013
Class Y Prospectus | RS Emerging Markets Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	RS Emerging Markets Fund
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	Long-term capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. No sales loads are imposed on Class Y shares.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses are deducted from Fund assets as a percentage of average daily net assets)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes for you if your Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 49% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	49.00%
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, whether or not you redeem at the end of such periods. This Example also assumes that your investment earns a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same as shown above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Investments, Risks, and Performance Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in securities of emerging market companies, which may include common stocks, preferred stocks, or other securities convertible into common stock. The Fund defines an emerging market country as one whose economy or markets are considered by the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank to be emerging or developing, as well as any country classified by the United Nations as developing. The Fund defines an emerging market company as one that is organized under the laws of, or has its principal office in, an emerging market country; derives 50% or more of its revenue from goods produced, services performed, or sales made in emerging market countries; or for which the principal securities market is located in an emerging market country. The Fund’s investment team employs both fundamental analysis and quantitative screening in seeking to identify companies that the investment team believes can sustain above-average earnings growth. Valuation is an integral part of the process. Fundamental, bottom-up research focuses on companies that rank highly within the investment team’s quantitative screen, with particular emphasis placed on a company’s earnings growth, business strategy, value creation, competitive position, management quality, market position, and political and economic backdrop. The investment team monitors market and sovereign risk as part of the overall investment process. The Fund also may invest in foreign issuers through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), or similar investment vehicles.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	You may lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, which could adversely affect its net asset value and total return, are as follows. Equity Securities Risk The value of a company’s stock may decline in response to factors affecting that particular company or stock markets generally. Foreign Securities Risk Foreign securities are subject to political, regulatory, and economic risks not present in domestic investments. In addition, when the Fund buys securities denominated in a foreign currency, there are special risks such as changes in currency exchange rates and the risk that a foreign government could regulate foreign exchange transactions. In addition, to the extent that investments are made in a limited number of countries, events in those countries will have a more significant impact on the Fund. Currency Risk Investments in foreign securities are often denominated and traded in foreign currencies. The value of the Fund’s assets may be affected favorably or unfavorably by currency exchange rates, currency exchange control regulations, and restrictions or prohibitions on the repatriation of foreign currencies. To attempt to protect against changes in currency exchange rates, the Fund may, but will not necessarily, engage in forward foreign-currency exchange transactions. The use of foreign exchange transactions to reduce foreign-currency exposure can eliminate some or all of the benefit of an increase in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar. Emerging Market Risk Risks of investing in emerging markets include greater political and economic instability, greater volatility in currency exchange rates, less developed securities markets, possible trade barriers, currency transfer restrictions, a more limited number of potential buyers, an emerging market country’s dependence on revenue from particular commodities or international aid, less governmental supervision and regulation, unavailability of currency hedging techniques, differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, and less developed legal systems. Small Companies Risk Small companies may be subject to a number of risks not associated with larger, more established companies, potentially making their stock prices more volatile and increasing the risk of loss. Investment Style Risk A mutual fund investing principally in growth style stocks may at times underperform other mutual funds that invest more broadly or that have different investment styles. Liquidity Risk Lack of a ready market or restrictions on resale may limit the ability of the Fund to sell a security at an advantageous time or price. In addition, the Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by RS Investments, may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical trading volume for that security, which can make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of the position at an advantageous time or price. Cash Position Risk To the extent that the Fund holds assets in cash and cash equivalents and not in the investments previously described, the ability of the Fund to meet its objective may be limited. Portfolio Turnover Risk Frequent purchases and sales of portfolio securities may result in higher Fund expenses and may result in more significant distributions of short-term capital gains to investors, which are taxed as ordinary income. Overweighting Risk Overweighting investments in an industry or group of industries relative to the Fund’s benchmark increases the risk that the Fund will underperform its benchmark because a general decline in the prices of stocks in that industry or group of industries will affect the Fund to a greater extent than its benchmark. Underweighting Risk If the Fund underweights its investment in an industry or group of industries relative to the Fund’s benchmark, the Fund will participate in any general increase in the value of companies in that industry or group of industries to a lesser extent than the Fund’s benchmark.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	You may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Fund Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years and since inception compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s investment strategy and investment team changed on March 1, 2013. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future performance. Updated performance information for the Fund is available at www.rsinvestments.com or by calling 800-766-3863.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years and since inception compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	800-766-3863
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	www.rsinvestments.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Annual Total Return for Class Y Shares (calendar year-end)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Best Quarter  Second Quarter 2009  44.22%            Worst Quarter  Fourth Quarter 2008  -29.41%
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Returns (periods ended 12/31/12)
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Performance Table Narrative	rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock	After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. The Fund commenced investment operations May 1, 1997, with the offering of Class A shares, and subsequently offered Class Y shares on March 9, 2009. Performance shown for Class Y shares reflects the performance of the Fund’s Class A shares for periods through the Class Y shares’ inception on March 10, 2009. Blended class performance has been adjusted to take into account differences in sales load applicable to these share classes (Class A shares charge a sales load and Class Y shares do not charge a sales load), but has not been adjusted to take into account differences in class-specific operating expenses (such as Rule 12b-1 fees; Class A shares pay a 12b-1 fee of 0.25% and Class Y shares do not pay a 12b-1 fee). Because Class Y shares’ operating expenses are lower than Class A shares’ historical operating expenses, historical performance of Class A shares is likely lower than what the performance of Class Y shares would have been during that period.
Class Y Prospectus | RS Emerging Markets Fund | Class Y
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	1.00%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.31%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.31%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	133
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	415
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	718
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,579
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	133
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	415
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	718
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	1,579
2003	rr_AnnualReturn2003	53.53%	[1]
2004	rr_AnnualReturn2004	23.53%	[1]
2005	rr_AnnualReturn2005	39.83%	[1]
2006	rr_AnnualReturn2006	35.79%	[1]
2007	rr_AnnualReturn2007	43.72%	[1]
2008	rr_AnnualReturn2008	(55.70%)	[1]
2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	93.49%	[1]
2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	18.57%
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(20.82%)
2012	rr_AnnualReturn2012	13.47%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	44.22%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(29.41%)
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	13.47%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.80%)	[1]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	16.80%	[1]
Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	9.04%	[1]
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 01, 1997
Class Y Prospectus | RS Emerging Markets Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions | Class Y
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	13.28%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(2.14%)	[1]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	15.81%	[1]
Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	8.34%	[1]
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 01, 1997
Class Y Prospectus | RS Emerging Markets Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | Class Y
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	8.75%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.71%)	[1]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	14.95%	[1]
Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	7.89%	[1]
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 01, 1997
Class Y Prospectus | RS Emerging Markets Fund | MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Gross) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	18.63%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.61%)	[1]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	16.88%	[1]
Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	7.40%	[1],[2]
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 1997

[1] Returns for the periods through March 10, 2009 reflect performance for the Fund's Class A shares. Class A shares represent an investment in the same portfolio of securities as Class Y shares. Annual returns for Class A and Class Y shares differ to the extent Class Y shares do not have the same expenses as Class A shares.

[2] Since inception return for MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Gross) shown in the table is since April 30, 1997, the month end prior to the inception of Class A shares.