Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Aug. 09, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Entity Registrant Name	PATHFINDER BANCORP INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001046188
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float			$ 5,400,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,492,682
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2

End date of current fiscal year in the format --MM-DD.

Name:	dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate
Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	xbrli:gMonthDayItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This is focus fiscal period of the document report. For a first quarter 2006 quarterly report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, the first fiscal quarter should be given as the fiscal period focus. Values: FY, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, H1, H2, M9, T1, T2, T3, M8, CY.

+ Details

Name:	dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus
Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	us-types:fiscalPeriodItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This is focus fiscal year of the document report in CCYY format. For a 2006 annual report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, fiscal 2006 should be given as the fiscal year focus. Example: 2006.

+ Details

Name:	dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus
Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12b
-Subsection 1

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityCentralIndexKey
Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	us-types:centralIndexKeyItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate number of shares outstanding of each of registrant's classes of common stock, as of latest practicable date. Where multiple classes exist define each class by adding class of stock items such as Common Class A [Member], Common Class B [Member] onto the Instrument [Domain] of the Entity Listings, Instrument

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Indicate "Yes" or "No" whether registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus
Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	us-types:yesNoItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate whether the registrant is one of the following: (1) Large Accelerated Filer, (2) Accelerated Filer, (3) Non-accelerated Filer, or (4) Smaller Reporting Company. Definitions of these categories are stated in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityFilerCategory
Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	us-types:filerCategoryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

State aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to price at which the common equity was last sold, or average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter. The public float should be reported on the cover page of the registrants form 10K.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityPublicFloat
Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12b
-Subsection 1

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityRegistrantName
Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate "Yes" or "No" if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityVoluntaryFilers
Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	us-types:yesNoItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate "Yes" or "No" if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Is used on Form Type: 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, 20-F, 6-K, 10-K/A, 10-Q/A, 20-F/A, 6-K/A, N-CSR, N-Q, N-1A.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer
Namespace Prefix:	dei
Data Type:	us-types:yesNoItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration