Document And Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Feb. 24, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014
Entity Listings [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	REGAL BELOIT CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000082811
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Jan. 03, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 3,481.4
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,707,879