Document and Company Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019
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	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	RCII
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		54,061,547
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes