Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Nov. 10, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	REGAL BELOIT CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000082811
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 03, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-02
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,661,403