Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NBT BANCORP INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000790359
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		43,777,233
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-14703
Entity Tax Identification Number	16-1268674
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	52 South Broad Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Norwich
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	13815
City Area Code	607
Local Phone Number	337-2265
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Trading Symbol	NBTB
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share