Name:	ifrs-full_DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The weighted average duration of a defined benefit obligation. [Refer: Weighted average [member]]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 19
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 147
-Subparagraph c
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_147_c&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Name:	ifrs-full_WeightedAverageDurationOfDefinedBenefitObligation2019
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Defined benefit obligation maturity percentage.

No definition available.

Name:	rio_DefinedBenefitObligationMaturityPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	rio_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Defined benefit obligations relating to current employees maturity percentage.

No definition available.

Name:	rio_DefinedBenefitObligationsRelatingToCurrentEmployeesMaturityPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	rio_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Defined benefit obligations relating to former employees not yet retired maturity percentage.

No definition available.

Name:	rio_DefinedBenefitObligationsRelatingToFormerEmployeesNotYetRetiredMaturityPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	rio_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Defined benefit obligations relating to retirees maturity percentage.

No definition available.