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
	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015
Collaborative arrangement
Collaborations
Maximum amount of contingent payments receivable					$ 531,900,000		$ 531,900,000
Specified Development Events \| Collaborative arrangement
Collaborations
Maximum amount of contingent payments receivable					148,800,000		148,800,000
Specified Regulatory Events \| Collaborative arrangement
Collaborations
Maximum amount of contingent payments receivable					345,600,000		345,600,000
Specified Product Launch Events \| Collaborative arrangement
Collaborations
Maximum amount of contingent payments receivable					37,500,000		37,500,000
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Collaborations
Noncreditable and nonrefundable upfront payment by BMS				$ 30,000,000
Deferred revenue related to upfront payment					0		0		$ 30,000,000
Revenue recognized					3,800,000	$ 4,800,000	13,400,000	$ 11,700,000
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company \| Research Activities
Collaborations
Revenue recognized						163,000	290,000	$ 619,000
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company \| Minimum
Collaborations
Contingent payments							$ 309,000,000
Aclaris
Collaborations
Upfront fee received		$ 8,000,000
Contingent payments			$ 80,000,000
Revenue recognized						$ 8,000,000
Ber Gen Bio A S [Member]
Collaborations
Upfront fee received	$ 1,700,000
Revenue recognized					$ 3,700,000
Payment received from exercise of option rights	$ 2,000,000