Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 27, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001090009
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,243,132