Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NBT BANCORP INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000790359
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		43,795,888
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2013