-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LUWACv0agQhLUPZkQbx0AbvH0HSsaST1VibhCrpfaWhI5n4QWBtYOkbmirD6ffRe
 9oEgWmYo4ieRh+PoZkerqA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001163534-09-000002.txt : 20090717
<SEC-HEADER>0001163534-09-000002.hdr.sgml : 20090717
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090717185921
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001163534-09-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090601
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090717
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090717

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KEARNS JOSEPH J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001163534

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-09061
		FILM NUMBER:		09951767

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ELECTRO RENT CORP
		STREET 2:		6060 SEPULVEDA BLVD
		CITY:			VAN NUYS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91411

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ELECTRO RENT CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000032166
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC [7359]
		IRS NUMBER:				952412961
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0531

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6060 SEPULVEDA BLVD
		CITY:			VAN NUYS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91411-2512
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8187872100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6060 SEPULVEDA BLVD
		CITY:			VAN NUYS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91411
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-06-01</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000032166</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ELECTRO RENT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ELRC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001163534</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KEARNS JOSEPH J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>23852 PACIFIC COAST HWY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 754</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MALIBU</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90265</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-06-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>864</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>864</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>864</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Issuer's common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The restricted stock units will be fully vested on September 1, 2009</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Joseph J. Kearns</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-06-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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