Agreement with SK hynix and Micron (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014 SK hynix [Member]	Jun. 11, 2013 SK hynix [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Micron [Member]	Dec. 09, 2013 Micron [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Term of patent license agreement		5 years		7 years
Amount to be paid quarterly	$ 12.0		$ 10.0
Future Receivables	$ 204.0		$ 264.5

License Agreement, Fixed Amount to be Paid Quarterly

No definition available.

Name:	rmbs_LicenseAgreementFixedAmounttobePaidQuarterly
Namespace Prefix:	rmbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant