Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Nov. 02, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity File Number	000-14893
Entity Registrant Name	RESEARCH FRONTIERS INCORPORATED
Entity Central Index Key	0000793524
Entity Tax Identification Number	11-2103466
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	240 CROSSWAYS PARK DRIVE
Entity Address, City or Town	WOODBURY
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	11797-2033
City Area Code	(516)
Local Phone Number	364-1902
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Trading Symbol	REFR
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		33,509,287