Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 14, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	UNITED RENTALS INC /DE
Entity Central Index Key	0001067701
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		97,270,783