Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 21, 2020	Jun. 28, 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-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Well-Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 272,689,353
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,697,454
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Incorporation State Country Code	SC
Entity File Number	000-27719