DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Feb. 28, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-29889
Entity Registrant Name	RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	94-3248524
Entity Address, Address Line One	611 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 900,
Entity Address, City or Town	South San Francisco
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94080
City Area Code	650
Local Phone Number	624-1100
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $.001 per share
Trading Symbol	RIGL
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001034842
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Public Float			$ 193.7
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		173,653,353
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Auditor Name	Ernst & Young LLP
Auditor Firm ID	42
Auditor Location	San Francisco, California