Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 14, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000018349
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		787,353,704
Trading Symbol	snv
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 1,446,059,871