Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 29, 2019
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, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,618,519
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Incorporation State Country Code	SC
Entity File Number	000-27719