Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LTD III
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000318986
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	11,398
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY