| **Document and Entity Information Document** | Apr. 23, 2020                               |
|----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| **Cover page.**                              |                                        |
| Document Type                                | 8-K                                         |
| Document Period End Date                     | Apr. 23,  2020                              |
| Entity File Number                           | 0-17071                                     |
| Entity Registrant Name                       | FIRST MERCHANTS CORP                        |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code  | IN                                          |
| Entity Tax Identification Number             | 35-1544218                                  |
| Entity Address, Address Line One             | 200 East Jackson Street                     |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two             | P.O. Box 792                                |
| Entity Address, City or Town                 | Muncie                                      |
| Entity Address, State or Province            | IN                                          |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code              | 47305-2814                                  |
| City Area Code                               | 765                                         |
| Local Phone Number                           | 747-1500                                    |
| Title of 12(b) Security                      | Common Stock, $0.125 stated value per share |
| Trading Symbol                               | FRME                                        |
| Security Exchange Name                       | NASDAQ                                      |
| Written Communications                       | false                                       |
| Soliciting Material                          | false                                       |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer                | false                                       |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer         | false                                       |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company               | false                                       |
| Entity Central Index Key                     | 0000712534                                  |
| Amendment Flag                               | false                                       |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the XBRL content amends previously-filed or accepted submission.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_AmendmentFlag**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:booleanItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Area code of city
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_CityAreaCode**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:normalizedStringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Cover page.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_CoverAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented.  If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is CCYY-MM-DD.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:dateItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_DocumentType**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:submissionTypeItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:normalizedStringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Address Line 2 such as Street or Suite number
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityAddressAddressLine2**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:normalizedStringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Name of the City or Town
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:normalizedStringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Code for the postal or zip code
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:normalizedStringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Name of the state or province.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:stateOrProvinceItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation 12B -Number 240 -Section 12 -Subsection b-2
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityCentralIndexKey**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:centralIndexKeyItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation 12B -Number 240 -Section 12 -Subsection b-2
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:booleanItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityFileNumber**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:fileNumberItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Two-character EDGAR code representing the state or country of incorporation.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:edgarStateCountryItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation 12B -Number 240 -Section 12 -Subsection b-2
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityRegistrantName**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:normalizedStringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation 12B -Number 240 -Section 12 -Subsection b-2
+ Details**Name:**dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:employerIdItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Local phone number for entity.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_LocalPhoneNumber**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:normalizedStringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Exchange Act -Number 240 -Section 13e -Subsection 4c
+ Details**Name:**dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:booleanItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Exchange Act -Number 240 -Section 14d -Subsection 2b
+ Details**Name:**dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:booleanItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Title of a 12(b) registered security.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Exchange Act -Number 240 -Section 12 -Subsection b
+ Details**Name:**dei_Security12bTitle**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:securityTitleItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Name of the Exchange on which a security is registered.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Exchange Act -Number 240 -Section 12 -Subsection d1-1
+ Details**Name:**dei_SecurityExchangeName**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:edgarExchangeCodeItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Exchange Act -Section 14a -Number 240 -Subsection 12
+ Details**Name:**dei_SolicitingMaterial**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:booleanItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**dei_TradingSymbol**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**dei:tradingSymbolItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Securities Act -Number 230 -Section 425
+ Details**Name:**dei_WrittenCommunications**Namespace Prefix:**dei_**Data Type:**xbrli:booleanItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |