Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2019	Aug. 05, 2019
Cover page.
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	WI
Entity Tax Identification Number	39-0875718
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 29, 2019
Entity File Number	001-07283
Entity Registrant Name	REGAL BELOIT CORP
Trading Symbol	RBC
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		41,934,921
Entity Central Index Key	0000082811
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
City Area Code	608
Local Phone Number	364-8800
Entity Address, Address Line One	200 State Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Beloit
Entity Address, State or Province	WI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	53511
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false