Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 19, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Registrant Name	CASH AMERICA INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000807884
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		28,811,280
Document Fiscal Year	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 1,278,940,229