Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	RealNetworks, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001046327
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		38,275,862
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-37745
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	WA
Entity Tax Identification Number	91-1628146
City Area Code	(206)
Local Phone Number	674-2700
Entity Address, Address Line One	1501 First Avenue South, Suite 600
Entity Address, City or Town	Seattle
Entity Address, State or Province	WA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	98134
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Common stock, outstanding	38,275,000		38,227,000
Trading Symbol	RNWK
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Shell Company	false
Common Stock [Member]
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, Par Value $0.001 per share
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, Par Value $0.001 per share
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Share Purchase Rights
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Share Purchase Rights