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Segment Information (Reconciliation to consolidated totals) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]                      
Total equipment rentals gross profit $ 707us-gaap_GrossProfit [1] $ 688us-gaap_GrossProfit [1] $ 589us-gaap_GrossProfit [1] $ 448us-gaap_GrossProfit [1] $ 567us-gaap_GrossProfit [2] $ 564us-gaap_GrossProfit [2] $ 471us-gaap_GrossProfit [2] $ 385us-gaap_GrossProfit [2] $ 2,432us-gaap_GrossProfit [1] $ 1,987us-gaap_GrossProfit [2] $ 1,587us-gaap_GrossProfit
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 (758)us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense (642)us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense (588)us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Merger related costs                 (11)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts (9)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts (111)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Restructuring charge                 1us-gaap_RestructuringCharges (12)us-gaap_RestructuringCharges (99)us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Non-rental depreciation and amortization                 (273)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization (246)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization (198)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Interest expense, net                 (555)us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet (475)us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet (512)us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet
Interest expense- subordinated convertible debentures                 0us-gaap_InterestExpenseOther (3)us-gaap_InterestExpenseOther (4)us-gaap_InterestExpenseOther
Other income, net                 14us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense 5us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense 13us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
Income before provision for income taxes                 850us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest 605us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest 88us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
Equipment rentals                      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]                      
Total equipment rentals gross profit                 2,092us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= uri_EquipmentRentalsMember		 1,710us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= uri_EquipmentRentalsMember		 1,364us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= uri_EquipmentRentalsMember
Other products and services                      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]                      
Total equipment rentals gross profit                 $ 340us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= uri_OtherProductsandServicesMember		 $ 277us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= uri_OtherProductsandServicesMember		 $ 223us-gaap_GrossProfit
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= uri_OtherProductsandServicesMember
[1] The fourth quarter of 2014 includes an increase in bad debt expense of $8 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily due to improved receivable aging which reduced the expense in the fourth quarter of 2013. Additionally, the fourth quarter of 2014 includes an increase in stock compensation, net of $14 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily due to improved profitability which resulted in increased performance based stock compensation.
[2] The fourth quarter of 2013 includes a reduction in bad debt expense of $17 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 primarily due to improved receivable aging. In the fourth quarter of 2013, we recognized a benefit of $3 in cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation related to our provision for self-insurance reserves.