Fair Value Measurements (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement Policy	Fair Value Measurements Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Securities Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. When available, the Corporation uses quoted market prices to determine the fair value of securities; such items are classified as Level 1. There were no Level 1 securities held at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Level 2 securities include debt securities with quoted prices, which are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments, whose value is determined using matrix pricing with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes obligations of U.S. government‑sponsored enterprises, mortgage‑backed securities issued by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government‑sponsored enterprises, obligations of states and political subdivisions, trust preferred debt securities and corporate bonds. Securities not actively traded whose fair value is determined through the use of cash flows utilizing inputs that are unobservable are classified as Level 3. There were no Level 3 securities held at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Mortgage Loans Held for Sale The fair values of mortgage loans held for sale are generally estimated based on secondary market rates offered for loans with similar characteristics. When secondary market information exists, these loans are classified as Level 2. In certain cases when quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined by utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis and these assets are classified as Level 3. Any changes in the valuation of mortgage loans held for sale is based upon the change in market interest rates between the loan closing date and the measurement date and an immaterial portion attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk. There were no Level 3 mortgage loans held for sale at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Derivatives Interest rate swap contracts are traded in over-the-counter markets where quoted market prices are not readily available. Fair value measurements are determined using independent pricing models that utilize primarily market observable inputs, such as swap rates of different maturities and LIBOR rates and, accordingly, are classified as Level 2. For purposes of potential valuation adjustments to its interest rate swap contracts, the Corporation evaluates the credit risk of its counterparties as well as that of the Corporation. Accordingly, Washington Trust considers factors such as the likelihood of default by the Corporation and its counterparties, its net exposures and remaining contractual life, among other factors, in determining if any fair value adjustments related to credit risk are required. Counterparty exposure is evaluated by netting positions that are subject to master netting agreements, as well as considering the amount of collateral securing the position. Additionally, in accordance with fair value measurement guidance in ASU 2011-04, Washington Trust has made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio. Level 2 fair value measurements of forward loan commitments (interest rate lock commitments and commitments to sell residential real estate mortgages) are estimated using the anticipated market price based on pricing indications provided from syndicate banks. In certain cases when quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined by utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis and these assets are classified as Level 3. There were no Level 3 forward loan commitments held at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis Collateral Dependent Impaired Loans Collateral dependent loans that are deemed to be impaired are valued based upon the fair value of the underlying collateral. Such collateral primarily consists of real estate and, to a lesser extent, other business assets. For collateral dependent loans for which repayment is dependent on the sale of the collateral, management adjusts the fair value for estimated costs to sell. For collateral dependent loans for which repayment is dependent on the operation of the collateral, such as accruing troubled debt restructured loans, estimated costs to sell are not incorporated into the measurement. Management may also adjust appraised values to reflect estimated market value declines or apply other discounts to appraised values resulting from its knowledge of the property. Internal valuations are utilized to determine the fair value of other business assets. Collateral dependent impaired loans are categorized as Level 3. Property Acquired Through Foreclosure or Repossession Property acquired through foreclosure or repossession included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is adjusted to fair value less costs to sell upon transfer out of loans through a charge to allowance for loan losses. Subsequently, it is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Such subsequent valuation charges are charged through earnings. Fair value is generally based upon appraised values of the collateral. Management may adjust appraised values to reflect estimated market value declines or apply other discounts to appraised values for unobservable factors resulting from its knowledge of the property, and such property is categorized as Level 3. Fair Value Option Election GAAP allows for the irrevocable option to elect fair value accounting for the initial and subsequent measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis. The Corporation elected the fair value option for certain residential real estate mortgage loans held for sale to better match changes in fair value of the loans with changes in the fair value of the derivative loan sale contracts use to economically hedge them.
Fair Value Transfer Policy	It is the Corporation’s policy to review and reflect transfers between Levels as of the financial statement reporting date. There were no transfers in and/or out of Levels during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 other than the one transfer between Level 2 and Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2013 and as noted in the following table.
Valuation of Other Financial Instruments Policy	Valuation of Other Financial Instruments The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis are discussed above. The methodologies for other financial instruments are discussed below. Loans Fair values are estimated for categories of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type and are then further segmented into fixed-rate and adjustable-rate interest terms to determine their fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate commercial and consumer loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity of the loan using interest rates offered at the measurement date that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan. The estimate of maturity is based on the Corporation’s historical repayment experience. For residential mortgages, fair value is estimated by using market prices for sales of similar loans on the secondary market. The fair value of floating rate commercial and consumer loans approximates carrying value. Fair value for impaired loans is estimated using a discounted cash flow method based upon the loan’s contractual effective interest rate, or at the loan’s observable market price, or if the loan is collateral dependent, at the fair value of the collateral. Loans are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Time Deposits The discounted values of cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities were used to estimate the fair value of time deposits. Time deposits are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Federal Home Loan Bank Advances Rates currently available to the Corporation for advances with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate fair value of existing advances. FHLB advances are categorized as Level 2. Junior Subordinated Debentures The fair value of the junior subordinated debentures is estimated using rates currently available to the Corporation for debentures with similar terms and maturities. Junior subordinated debentures are categorized as Level 2.