Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Mar. 07, 2016
Jun. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2015    
Entity Registrant Name RESEARCH FRONTIERS INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0000793524    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   24,043,846  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Public Float     $ 91,564,243