Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares and Salary Stock Units (Details) - USD ($)			12 Months Ended
		Jul. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant							1,700,000
Vesting period			5 years
Exercisable period			10 years
Number [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, Beginning Balance (in shares)			274,586	550,490		1,251,601
Granted (in shares)			0	0		0
Exercised (in shares)			(97,877)	(275,904)	[1]	(698,673)
Forfeited (in shares)			0	0		(3)
Outstanding, Ending Balance (in shares)			176,709	274,586		550,490
Options exercisable (in shares)							176,709
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding, Beginning Balance (in dollars per share)			$ 21.40	$ 20.75		$ 21.23
Granted (in dollars per share)			0.00	0.00		0.00
Exercised (in dollars per share)			18.91	20.09	[1]	21.63
Forfeited (in dollars per share)			0.00	0.00		29.50
Outstanding, Ending Balance (in dollars per share)			$ 22.77	$ 21.40		$ 20.75
Options exercisable (in dollars per share)							$ 22.77
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Outstanding			2 years 2 months 23 days
Options exercisable			2 years 2 months 23 days
Aggregate intrinsic value [Abstract]
Outstanding	[2]						$ 4,123,000
Options exercisable	[2]						$ 4,123,000
Quoted closing price of common stock (in dollars per share)							$ 46.10
Number Of Shares Settled During Period Stock Appreciation Rights Exercised						1,137
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value			$ 2,700,000	$ 12,700,000		$ 21,700,000
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Restricted stock expense			17,636,000	19,538,000		10,971,000
Income tax benefit			4,610,000	7,665,000		4,306,000
Restricted stock expense, net of income tax benefit			$ 13,026,000	$ 11,873,000		$ 6,665,000
Unrecognized restricted share expense							$ 32,900,000
Weighted average period over which unrecognized restricted share expense will be recognized			1 year 9 months 7 days
Number [Roll Forward]
Unvested, beginning of period (in shares)			936,135	820,539		866,314
Shares awards			180,450	261,942		177,664
Conversion of previously awarded restricted share units to restricted share awards			6,200	43,680		43,694
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to associates/directors (in shares)			(400,820)	(292,896)		(245,873)
Shares forfeited (in shares)			(29,159)	(34,020)		(21,260)
Unvested, end of period (in shares)			692,806	936,135		820,539
Grant date weighted average cost [Roll Forward]
Unvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share)			$ 50.08	$ 36.47		$ 31.39
Shares awarded (in dollars per share)			62.40	67.14		48.61
Conversion of restricted share units to restricted share awards (in dollars per share)			67.85	69.40		46.37
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to associates/directors (in dollars per share)			46.33	37.59		28.39
Shares forfeited (in dollars per share)			59.51	54.71		39.88
Unvested, end of period (in dollars per share)			$ 55.19	$ 50.08		$ 36.47
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years	[3]					5 years
Shares awards			180,450	261,942		177,664
Shares forfeited (in shares)			(29,159)	(34,020)		(21,260)
Shares Unvested (in shares)			936,135	820,539		866,314	692,806
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards			180,450	261,942		177,664
Service period per tranche (in years)			5 years
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 17,636,000	$ 19,538,000		$ 10,971,000
Employee Stock Option
Number [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, Ending Balance (in shares)			176,709
Stock Swap
Number [Roll Forward]
Exercised (in shares)				(750)
Aggregate intrinsic value [Abstract]
Number of shares settled during period Stock Swap				277
Stock Appreciation Rights
Number [Roll Forward]
Exercised (in shares)	[4]					(2,435)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Exercised (in dollars per share)	[4]					$ 15.60
Time Based Awards 2016
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[3]					143,273
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[3],[5]		(17,942)
Unvested, end of period (in shares)	[3]		73,508
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[3]					143,273
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)	[3]		37,574
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)	[3]		14,249
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[3],[5]		(17,942)
Shares Unvested (in shares)	[3]		73,508				73,508
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[3]					143,273
Time Based Awards 2017
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[3]			248,265
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[3],[5]		(27,647)
Unvested, end of period (in shares)	[3]		165,316
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[3]			248,265
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)	[3]		42,615
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)	[3]		12,687
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[3],[5]		(27,647)
Shares Unvested (in shares)	[3]		165,316				165,316
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[3]			248,265
Time Based Awards 2017 | BNC Bancorp
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[3],[6]			136,890
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[3],[5],[6]		(1,292)
Unvested, end of period (in shares)	[3],[6]		48,122
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[3],[6]			136,890
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)	[3],[6]		85,061
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)	[3],[6]		2,415
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[3],[5],[6]		(1,292)
Shares Unvested (in shares)	[3],[6]		48,122				48,122
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[3],[6]			136,890
Time Based Awards 2017 | Associates | Minimum
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years				3 years
Time Based Awards 2017 | Associates | Minimum | BNC Bancorp
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years				3 years
Time Based Awards 2017 | Associates | Maximum
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years				5 years
Time Based Awards 2017 | Associates | Maximum | BNC Bancorp
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years				5 years
Time Based Awards 2018
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[3]		147,601
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[3],[5]		(4,927)
Unvested, end of period (in shares)	[3]		142,361
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[3]		147,601
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)	[3]		224
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)	[3]		89
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[3],[5]		(4,927)
Shares Unvested (in shares)	[3]		142,361				142,361
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[3]		147,601
Time Based Awards 2018 | BNC Bancorp
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[3],[6]		16,777
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[3],[5],[6]		(500)
Unvested, end of period (in shares)	[3],[6]		16,277
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[3],[6]		16,777
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)	[3],[6]		0
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)	[3],[6]		0
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[3],[5],[6]		(500)
Shares Unvested (in shares)	[3],[6]		16,277				16,277
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[3],[6]		16,777
Time Based Awards 2018 | Associates | Minimum
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years			3 years
Time Based Awards 2018 | Associates | Minimum | BNC Bancorp
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years			3 years
Time Based Awards 2018 | Associates | Maximum
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years			5 years
Time Based Awards 2018 | Associates | Maximum | BNC Bancorp
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years			5 years
Performance Based Awards 2016 | Leadership Team
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[7]					43,694
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5],[7]		0
Unvested, end of period (in shares)	[7]		21,379
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years	[7]					3 years
Shares awards	[7]					43,694
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)	[7]		14,991
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)	[7]		7,324
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5],[7]		0
Shares Unvested (in shares)	[7]		21,379				21,379
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[7]					43,694
Performance Based Awards 2016 | Leadership Team | Avenue Financial Holdings, Inc.
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[8]					15,468
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5],[8]		0
Unvested, end of period (in shares)	[8]		10,314
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years	[8]					3 years
Shares awards	[8]					15,468
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)	[8]		3,904
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)	[8]		1,250
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5],[8]		0
Shares Unvested (in shares)	[8]		10,314				10,314
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[8]					15,468
Performance Based Awards 2017 | Leadership Team
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[7]			43,680
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5],[7]		0
Unvested, end of period (in shares)	[7]		21,367
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years	[7]			3 years
Shares awards	[7]			43,680
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)	[7]		14,649
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)	[7]		7,664
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5],[7]		0
Shares Unvested (in shares)	[7]		21,367				21,367
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[7]			43,680
Performance Based Awards 2018 | Leadership Team
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[7]		6,200
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5],[7]		0
Unvested, end of period (in shares)	[7]		0
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years	[7]		3 years
Shares awards	[7]		6,200
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)	[7]		4,340
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)	[7]		1,860
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5],[7]		0
Shares Unvested (in shares)	[7]		0				0
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[7]		6,200
Outside Director Awards 2016
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards						18,923
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5]		(1,186)
Unvested, end of period (in shares)			0
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years						1 year
Shares awards						18,923
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)			15,471
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)			2,266
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5]		(1,186)
Shares Unvested (in shares)			0				0
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards						18,923
Outside Director Awards 2017
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards				13,677
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5]		0
Unvested, end of period (in shares)			0
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years				1 year
Shares awards				13,677
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)			12,139
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)			1,538
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5]		0
Shares Unvested (in shares)			0				0
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards				13,677
Outside Director Awards 2018
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards			16,072
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5]		0
Unvested, end of period (in shares)			14,924
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Vesting Period in years			1 year
Shares awards			16,072
Restrictions lapsed and shares released to participants (in shares)			1,148
Shares withheld for taxes by participants (in shares)			0
Shares forfeited (in shares)	[5]		0
Shares Unvested (in shares)			14,924				14,924
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards			16,072
2015 Restricted Share Units | Senior Executive Officers | Minimum
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[9]		58,200
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		58,200
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		58,200
2015 Restricted Share Units | Senior Executive Officers | Maximum
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[9]		101,850
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		101,850
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		101,850
2015 Restricted Share Units | Leadership Team
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards			28,378
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards			28,378
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards			28,378
2016 Restricted Share Units | Senior Executive Officers | Minimum
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[9]		73,474
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		73,474
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		73,474
2016 Restricted Share Units | Senior Executive Officers | Maximum
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[9]		110,223
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		110,223
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		110,223
2016 Restricted Share Units | Leadership Team
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards			26,683
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards			26,683
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards			26,683
2017 Restricted Share Unit | Senior Executive Officers | Minimum
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[9]		72,537
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		72,537
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		72,537
2017 Restricted Share Unit | Senior Executive Officers | Maximum
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[9]		109,339
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		109,339
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		109,339
2017 Restricted Share Unit | Leadership Team
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards			24,916
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards			24,916
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards			24,916
2018 Restricted Share Unit | Senior Executive Officers | Minimum
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[9]		96,878
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		96,878
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		96,878
2018 Restricted Share Unit | Senior Executive Officers | Maximum
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards	[9]		145,339
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		145,339
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards	[9]		145,339
2018 Restricted Share Unit | Leadership Team
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares awards			25,990
Restricted stock grants grouped by similar vesting criteria [Abstract]
Shares awards			25,990
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Shares awards			25,990
Incentive stock option
Number [Roll Forward]
Options exercisable (in shares)							106,173
Non qualified stock options
Number [Roll Forward]
Options exercisable (in shares)							70,536
Tranche 2015 | 2015 Restricted Share Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			3 years
Tranche 2016 | 2015 Restricted Share Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Tranche 2016 | 2016 Restricted Share Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			3 years
Tranche 2017 | 2015 Restricted Share Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			1 year
Tranche 2017 | 2016 Restricted Share Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Tranche 2017 | 2017 Restricted Share Unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			3 years
Tranche 2018 | 2016 Restricted Share Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			1 year
Tranche 2018 | 2017 Restricted Share Unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Tranche 2018 | 2018 Restricted Share Unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			3 years
Tranche 2019 | 2017 Restricted Share Unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			1 year
Tranche 2019 | 2018 Restricted Share Unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Tranche 2020 | 2018 Restricted Share Unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years
Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]
Service period per tranche (in years)			2 years
Subsequent holding period per tranche (in years)			1 year
Equity Incentive Plan 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant							500,000
BNC Bancorp 2013 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant							9,000
Number [Roll Forward]
Shares assumed in connection with acquisition of BNC				136,890
Grant date weighted average cost [Roll Forward]
Shares awarded (in dollars per share)				$ 67.25
CapitalMark Plan
Aggregate intrinsic value [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Acquisitions in Period		858,000

[1] Includes 750 stock options which were exercised in a stock swap transaction which settled in 277 shares of Pinnacle Financial common stock.

[2] The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted price of Pinnacle Financial Common Stock of $46.10 per common share at December 31, 2018 for the 176,709 options that were in-the-money at December 31, 2018.

[3] The forfeiture restrictions on these restricted share awards lapse in equal annual installments on the anniversary date of the grant.

[4] The 2,435 stock appreciation rights exercised during 2016 settled in 1,137 shares of Pinnacle Financial Common Stock.

[5] These shares represent forfeitures resulting from recipients whose employment or board membership is terminated during each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 or for which the performance criteria applicable to the award are not achieved. Any dividends paid on shares for which the forfeiture restrictions do not lapse will be recouped by Pinnacle Financial at the time of termination or will not be distributed from escrow, as applicable.

[6] Restricted share awards issued to associates that were former associates of BNC and to Pinnacle Financial's Chairman of the Carolina's and Virginia pursuant to legacy BNC incentive plans assumed by Pinnacle Financial.

[7] Reflects conversion of restricted share units issued in prior years to restricted share awards. The forfeiture restrictions on these restricted share awards lapse should Pinnacle Financial achieve certain soundness targets at the end of the fifth year following the grant date. See further details of these awards under the caption "Restricted Share Units" below.

[8] These shares were awarded to individuals joining the leadership team upon acquisition of Avenue. The forfeiture restrictions on these restricted share awards lapse in separate equal installments should Pinnacle Financial achieve certain earnings targets over each year of the vesting period and should the recipient thereafter remain employed by Pinnacle Financial for a subsequent vesting period.

[9] The named executive officers are awarded a range of awards that may be earned based on attainment of goals at a target level of performance to the maximum level of performance.