Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 65,522	$ 62,014
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has been recorded in earnings	(398)	(128)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on other securities	70,495	29,346
Pension loss amortization	362	406
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	70,459	29,624
Comprehensive income	135,981	91,638
Non-controlling interest expense	148	959
Comprehensive income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc	$ 135,833	$ 90,679