Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SOUTHERN CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000092122
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	874,796,883