Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 31, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000712534
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	FRME
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,658,419