Earnings Per Common Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 4,647	$ 30,639	$ 39,338	$ 42,706	$ 66,920	$ 28,803	$ 30,773	$ 35,083	$ 117,330	$ 161,579	$ 217,770
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									15,114	12,737	5,798
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO RAYONIER INC.	$ 1,987	$ 23,432	$ 36,258	$ 40,539	$ 64,150	$ 24,688	$ 26,161	$ 33,843	$ 102,216	$ 148,842	$ 211,972
Shares used for determining basic earnings per common share (in shares)									129,043,627	127,367,608	122,585,200
Dilutive effect of:
Stock options (in shares)									71,276	91,956	92,473
Performance and restricted shares (in shares)									575,328	350,385	134,650
Shares used for determining diluted earnings per common share (in shares)									129,690,231	127,809,949	122,812,323
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Rayonier Inc (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.18	$ 0.28	$ 0.31	$ 0.50	$ 0.19	$ 0.20	$ 0.27	$ 0.79	$ 1.17	$ 1.73
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Rayonier Inc (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.18	$ 0.28	$ 0.31	$ 0.50	$ 0.19	$ 0.20	$ 0.27	$ 0.79	$ 1.16	$ 1.73