Fair Values of Financial Instruments, Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Transfers between Levels [Abstract]
Transfers from Level 1 to Level 2	$ 0	$ 0
Transfers from Level 2 to Level 1	0	4,000
Transfers into Level 3	0
Transfers out of Level 3	0
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	975,340	998,496
Equity securities	27,771	23,053
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Collateral Dependent Impaired Loans	$ 0	200
Reserves on collateral dependent impaired loans		25
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Liquidation expense ratio on impaired collateral	10.00%
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Liquidation expense ratio on impaired collateral	35.00%
Changes Measurement [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Branch location with pending disposition	$ (1,000)
Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Branch location with pending disposition	200
Recurring Basis [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	975,340	998,496
Equity securities	27,771	23,053
Derivatives	41,766	20,000
Total	1,044,877	1,041,549
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	41,777	17,572
Total	41,777	17,572
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	0	0
Equity securities	23,771	19,053
Derivatives	0	0
Total	23,771	19,053
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	0	0
Total	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	975,340	998,496
Equity securities	4,000	4,000
Derivatives	41,766	20,000
Total	1,021,106	1,022,496
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	41,777	17,572
Total	41,777	17,572
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	0	0
Equity securities	0	0
Derivatives	0	0
Total	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	0	0
Total	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Federal Agency [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	34,758	84,299
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Federal Agency [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Federal Agency [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	34,758	84,299
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Federal Agency [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] \| State & Municipal [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	2,513	29,915
Recurring Basis [Member] \| State & Municipal [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] \| State & Municipal [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	2,513	29,915
Recurring Basis [Member] \| State & Municipal [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Mortgage-Backed [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	503,626	512,295
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Mortgage-Backed [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Mortgage-Backed [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	503,626	512,295
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Mortgage-Backed [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	434,443	371,987
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	434,443	371,987
Recurring Basis [Member] \| Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
AFS securities [Abstract]
AFS securities	$ 0	$ 0

The percentage of liquidation expenses estimated with liquidating impaired collateral.

No definition available.

Name:	nbtb_LiquidationExpenseRatioOnImpairedCollateral
Namespace Prefix:	nbtb_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of impaired loans considered to be collateral dependent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbtb_LoansAndLeasesReceivableCollateralDependentImpairedLoans
Namespace Prefix:	nbtb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of specific reserves for loans considered to be collateral dependent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nbtb_LoansAndLeasesReceivableCollateralDependentLoansSpecificReserves
Namespace Prefix:	nbtb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117815213&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118260190&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118260190&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99377092&loc=SL75136599-209740

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of transfers of assets measured on a recurring basis out of Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy into Level 2.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bb)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117815213&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsLevel1ToLevel2TransfersAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of transfers of assets measured on a recurring basis out of Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy into Level 1.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bb)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117815213&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsLevel2ToLevel1TransfersAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of transfer of financial instrument classified as an asset into level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117815213&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of transfers of financial instrument classified as an asset out of level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringValueMeasurementAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueTransfersBetweenLevel1AndLevel2DescriptionAndPolicyAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value portion of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117815213&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis=us-gaap_ChangeDuringPeriodFairValueDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis=us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis=us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CollateralizedMortgageObligationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: