Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 18, 2016
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, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		88,502,401