<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.8.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>197</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>298</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>64</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>10</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00105 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00305 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLossParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - Merger Agreement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureMergerAgreement</Role>
      <ShortName>Merger Agreement</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - Asset Sale to WBA</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureAssetSaleToWba</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Sale to WBA</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - Income (Loss) Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIncomeLossPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Income (Loss) Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - Lease Termination and Impairment Charges</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureLeaseTerminationAndImpairmentCharges</Role>
      <ShortName>Lease Termination and Impairment Charges</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - Medicare Part D</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureMedicarePartD</Role>
      <ShortName>Medicare Part D</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - Indebtedness and Credit Agreements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIndebtednessAndCreditAgreements</Role>
      <ShortName>Indebtedness and Credit Agreements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReporting</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11301 - Disclosure - Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsContingenciesAndGuarantees</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11401 - Disclosure - Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGuarantorAndNonGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11501 - Disclosure - Tax Benefits Preservation Plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureTaxBenefitsPreservationPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>Tax Benefits Preservation Plan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11601 - Disclosure - Supplementary Cash Flow Data</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSupplementaryCashFlowData</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplementary Cash Flow Data</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>20102 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30103 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentation</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30303 - Disclosure - Asset Sale to WBA (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureAssetSaleToWbaTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Sale to WBA (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureAssetSaleToWba</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30403 - Disclosure - Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIncomeLossPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIncomeLossPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30503 - Disclosure - Lease Termination and Impairment Charges (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureLeaseTerminationAndImpairmentChargesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Lease Termination and Impairment Charges (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureLeaseTerminationAndImpairmentCharges</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30903 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31003 - Disclosure - Indebtedness and Credit Agreements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIndebtednessAndCreditAgreementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Indebtedness and Credit Agreements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIndebtednessAndCreditAgreements</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31103 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31203 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReporting</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31403 - Disclosure - Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGuarantorAndNonGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGuarantorAndNonGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31603 - Disclosure - Supplementary Cash Flow Data (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSupplementaryCashFlowDataTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplementary Cash Flow Data (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSupplementaryCashFlowData</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40102 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Details) - Revenue Recognition</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationDetailsRevenueRecognition</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Details) - Revenue Recognition</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - Merger Agreement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureMergerAgreementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Merger Agreement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureMergerAgreement</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - Asset Sale to WBA (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureAssetSaleToWbaDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Sale to WBA (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureAssetSaleToWbaTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40302 - Disclosure - Asset Sale to WBA - Carrying amount of assets sold (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureAssetSaleToWbaCarryingAmountOfAssetsSoldDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Sale to WBA - Carrying amount of assets sold (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40303 - Disclosure - Asset Sale to WBA - Operating results of discontinued operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureAssetSaleToWbaOperatingResultsOfDiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Sale to WBA - Operating results of discontinued operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - Income (Loss) Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIncomeLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income (Loss) Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIncomeLossPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - Lease Termination and Impairment Charges (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureLeaseTerminationAndImpairmentChargesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Lease Termination and Impairment Charges (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureLeaseTerminationAndImpairmentChargesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - Medicare Part D (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureMedicarePartDDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Medicare Part D (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureMedicarePartD</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40902 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40903 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Summary of reclassified noncurrent assets held for sale (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesSummaryOfReclassifiedNoncurrentAssetsHeldForSaleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Summary of reclassified noncurrent assets held for sale (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - Indebtedness and Credit Agreements (Details) - Indebtedness and lease financing obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIndebtednessAndCreditAgreementsDetailsIndebtednessAndLeaseFinancingObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Indebtedness and Credit Agreements (Details) - Indebtedness and lease financing obligations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIndebtednessAndCreditAgreementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41002 - Disclosure - Indebtedness and Credit Agreements - Continuing operations and discontinued operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIndebtednessAndCreditAgreementsContinuingOperationsAndDiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Indebtedness and Credit Agreements - Continuing operations and discontinued operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41003 - Disclosure - Indebtedness and Credit Agreement - Credit Facility (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureIndebtednessAndCreditAgreementCreditFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Indebtedness and Credit Agreement - Credit Facility (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - Retirement Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Plans (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41202 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting - Balance Sheet information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingBalanceSheetInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting - Balance Sheet information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41203 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting - Adjusted EBITDA for continuing operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAdjustedEbitdaForContinuingOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting - Adjusted EBITDA for continuing operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41401 - Disclosure - Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Balance Sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGuarantorAndNonGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformationBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Balance Sheet (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGuarantorAndNonGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41402 - Disclosure - Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statement of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGuarantorAndNonGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformationStatementOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statement of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41403 - Disclosure - Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statement of Cash Flow (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureGuarantorAndNonGuarantorCondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformationStatementOfCashFlowDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Statement of Cash Flow (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rad-20180602.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41601 - Disclosure - Supplementary Cash Flow Data (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSupplementaryCashFlowDataDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplementary Cash Flow Data (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.riteaid.com/role/DisclosureSupplementaryCashFlowDataTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>rad-20180602.xml</File>
    <File>rad-20180602.xsd</File>
    <File>rad-20180602_cal.xml</File>
    <File>rad-20180602_def.xml</File>
    <File>rad-20180602_lab.xml</File>
    <File>rad-20180602_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
