Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Sponsored Research and License Agreements (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Collaborations
Noncreditable and nonrefundable upfront payment by BMS			$ 30,000,000
Deferred revenue related to upfront payment	$ 18,300,000			$ 30,000,000	$ 18,300,000	$ 18,300,000
Revenue recognized					4,800,000	11,700,000
bristol-Myers Squibb Company \| Research Activities
Collaborations
Revenue recognized					163,000	619,000
bristol-Myers Squibb Company \| Minimum
Collaborations
Contingent payments by BMS				$ 309,000,000
Aclaris Therapeutics
Collaborations
Upfront fee received	8,000,000
Contingent payments by BMS		$ 80,000,000
Revenue recognized					8,000,000	8,000,000
Collaborative Arrangement
Collaborations
Maximum amount of contingent payments receivable	533,600,000				533,600,000	533,600,000
Collaborative Arrangement \| Specified Development Events
Collaborations
Maximum amount of contingent payments receivable	150,500,000				150,500,000	150,500,000
Collaborative Arrangement \| Specified Regulatory Events
Collaborations
Maximum amount of contingent payments receivable	345,600,000				345,600,000	345,600,000
Collaborative Arrangement \| Specified Product Launch Events
Collaborations
Maximum amount of contingent payments receivable	$ 37,500,000				$ 37,500,000	$ 37,500,000