Document and Company Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jul. 30, 2018
Document And Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	RENT A CENTER INC DE
Entity Central Index Key	0000933036
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	RCII
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		53,507,345
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes