<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<xbrl
  xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance"
  xmlns:dei="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026"
  xmlns:ffd="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ffd/2026"
  xmlns:iso4217="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217"
  xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase"
  xmlns:xbrldi="http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi"
  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"
  xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
    <link:schemaRef
      xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ffd/2026/ffd-2026.xsd"
      xlink:type="simple"/>
    <context id="rc">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001042729</identifier>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-09-28</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-09-28</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="offrl_1">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001042729</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ffd:OfferingAxis">
                    <dei:lineNo>1</dei:lineNo>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-09-28</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-09-28</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="offrl_2">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001042729</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ffd:OfferingAxis">
                    <dei:lineNo>2</dei:lineNo>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-09-28</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-09-28</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="offrl_3">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001042729</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ffd:OfferingAxis">
                    <dei:lineNo>3</dei:lineNo>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-09-28</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-09-28</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="offrl_4">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001042729</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ffd:OfferingAxis">
                    <dei:lineNo>4</dei:lineNo>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-09-28</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-09-28</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="offrl_5">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001042729</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ffd:OfferingAxis">
                    <dei:lineNo>5</dei:lineNo>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-09-28</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-09-28</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="offrl_6">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001042729</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ffd:OfferingAxis">
                    <dei:lineNo>6</dei:lineNo>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-09-28</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-09-28</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="offrl_7">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001042729</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ffd:OfferingAxis">
                    <dei:lineNo>7</dei:lineNo>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-09-28</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-09-28</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="offrl_8">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001042729</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ffd:OfferingAxis">
                    <dei:lineNo>8</dei:lineNo>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-09-28</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-09-28</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="offrl_9">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001042729</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ffd:OfferingAxis">
                    <dei:lineNo>9</dei:lineNo>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-09-28</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-09-28</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <unit id="USD">
        <measure>iso4217:USD</measure>
    </unit>
    <unit id="pure">
        <measure>pure</measure>
    </unit>
    <ffd:FormTp contextRef="rc" id="ixv-512">S-3</ffd:FormTp>
    <ffd:SubmissnTp contextRef="rc" id="ixv-513">S-3ASR</ffd:SubmissnTp>
    <ffd:FeeExhibitTp contextRef="rc" id="ixv-514">EX-FILING FEES</ffd:FeeExhibitTp>
    <dei:EntityCentralIndexKey contextRef="rc" id="ixv-515">0001042729</dei:EntityCentralIndexKey>
    <dei:EntityRegistrantName contextRef="rc" id="ixv-516">MERCANTILE BANK CORP</dei:EntityRegistrantName>
    <ffd:OfferingTableNa contextRef="rc" id="hiddenrcOfferingTableNa" xsi:nil="true"/>
    <ffd:OffsetTableNa contextRef="rc" id="hiddenrcOffsetTableNa">N/A</ffd:OffsetTableNa>
    <ffd:CombinedProspectusTableNa contextRef="rc" id="hiddenrcCombinedProspectusTableNa">N/A</ffd:CombinedProspectusTableNa>
    <ffd:FormTp contextRef="rc" id="ixv-616">S-3</ffd:FormTp>
    <dei:EntityRegistrantName contextRef="rc" id="ixv-617">MERCANTILE BANK CORP</dei:EntityRegistrantName>
    <ffd:PrevslyPdFlg contextRef="offrl_1" id="ixv-618">false</ffd:PrevslyPdFlg>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTp contextRef="offrl_1" id="ixv-619">Equity</ffd:OfferingSctyTp>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTitl contextRef="offrl_1" id="ixv-620">Common Stock, no par value per share</ffd:OfferingSctyTitl>
    <ffd:Rule457rFlg contextRef="offrl_1" id="ixv-621">true</ffd:Rule457rFlg>
    <ffd:FeeRate
      contextRef="offrl_1"
      decimals="7"
      id="ixv-622"
      unitRef="pure">0.0001381</ffd:FeeRate>
    <ffd:PrevslyPdFlg contextRef="offrl_2" id="ixv-623">false</ffd:PrevslyPdFlg>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTp contextRef="offrl_2" id="ixv-624">Equity</ffd:OfferingSctyTp>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTitl contextRef="offrl_2" id="ixv-625">Preferred Stock, no par value per share</ffd:OfferingSctyTitl>
    <ffd:Rule457rFlg contextRef="offrl_2" id="ixv-626">true</ffd:Rule457rFlg>
    <ffd:FeeRate
      contextRef="offrl_2"
      decimals="7"
      id="ixv-627"
      unitRef="pure">0.0001381</ffd:FeeRate>
    <ffd:PrevslyPdFlg contextRef="offrl_3" id="ixv-628">false</ffd:PrevslyPdFlg>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTp contextRef="offrl_3" id="ixv-629">Debt</ffd:OfferingSctyTp>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTitl contextRef="offrl_3" id="ixv-630">Debt Securities</ffd:OfferingSctyTitl>
    <ffd:Rule457rFlg contextRef="offrl_3" id="ixv-631">true</ffd:Rule457rFlg>
    <ffd:FeeRate
      contextRef="offrl_3"
      decimals="7"
      id="ixv-632"
      unitRef="pure">0.0001381</ffd:FeeRate>
    <ffd:PrevslyPdFlg contextRef="offrl_4" id="ixv-633">false</ffd:PrevslyPdFlg>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTp contextRef="offrl_4" id="ixv-634">Other</ffd:OfferingSctyTp>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTitl contextRef="offrl_4" id="ixv-635">Depository Shares</ffd:OfferingSctyTitl>
    <ffd:Rule457rFlg contextRef="offrl_4" id="ixv-636">true</ffd:Rule457rFlg>
    <ffd:FeeRate
      contextRef="offrl_4"
      decimals="7"
      id="ixv-637"
      unitRef="pure">0.0001381</ffd:FeeRate>
    <ffd:PrevslyPdFlg contextRef="offrl_5" id="ixv-638">false</ffd:PrevslyPdFlg>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTp contextRef="offrl_5" id="ixv-639">Other</ffd:OfferingSctyTp>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTitl contextRef="offrl_5" id="ixv-640">Stock Purchase Contracts</ffd:OfferingSctyTitl>
    <ffd:Rule457rFlg contextRef="offrl_5" id="ixv-641">true</ffd:Rule457rFlg>
    <ffd:FeeRate
      contextRef="offrl_5"
      decimals="7"
      id="ixv-642"
      unitRef="pure">0.0001381</ffd:FeeRate>
    <ffd:PrevslyPdFlg contextRef="offrl_6" id="ixv-643">false</ffd:PrevslyPdFlg>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTp contextRef="offrl_6" id="ixv-644">Other</ffd:OfferingSctyTp>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTitl contextRef="offrl_6" id="ixv-645">Stock Purchase Units</ffd:OfferingSctyTitl>
    <ffd:Rule457rFlg contextRef="offrl_6" id="ixv-646">true</ffd:Rule457rFlg>
    <ffd:FeeRate
      contextRef="offrl_6"
      decimals="7"
      id="ixv-647"
      unitRef="pure">0.0001381</ffd:FeeRate>
    <ffd:PrevslyPdFlg contextRef="offrl_7" id="ixv-648">false</ffd:PrevslyPdFlg>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTp contextRef="offrl_7" id="ixv-649">Other</ffd:OfferingSctyTp>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTitl contextRef="offrl_7" id="ixv-650">Subscription Rights</ffd:OfferingSctyTitl>
    <ffd:Rule457rFlg contextRef="offrl_7" id="ixv-651">true</ffd:Rule457rFlg>
    <ffd:FeeRate
      contextRef="offrl_7"
      decimals="7"
      id="ixv-652"
      unitRef="pure">0.0001381</ffd:FeeRate>
    <ffd:PrevslyPdFlg contextRef="offrl_8" id="ixv-653">false</ffd:PrevslyPdFlg>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTp contextRef="offrl_8" id="ixv-654">Other</ffd:OfferingSctyTp>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTitl contextRef="offrl_8" id="ixv-655">Warrants</ffd:OfferingSctyTitl>
    <ffd:Rule457rFlg contextRef="offrl_8" id="ixv-656">true</ffd:Rule457rFlg>
    <ffd:FeeRate
      contextRef="offrl_8"
      decimals="7"
      id="ixv-657"
      unitRef="pure">0.0001381</ffd:FeeRate>
    <ffd:PrevslyPdFlg contextRef="offrl_9" id="ixv-658">false</ffd:PrevslyPdFlg>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTp contextRef="offrl_9" id="ixv-659">Other</ffd:OfferingSctyTp>
    <ffd:OfferingSctyTitl contextRef="offrl_9" id="ixv-660">Units</ffd:OfferingSctyTitl>
    <ffd:Rule457rFlg contextRef="offrl_9" id="ixv-661">true</ffd:Rule457rFlg>
    <ffd:FeeRate
      contextRef="offrl_9"
      decimals="7"
      id="ixv-662"
      unitRef="pure">0.0001381</ffd:FeeRate>
    <ffd:TtlOfferingAmt contextRef="rc" decimals="2" id="ixv-663" unitRef="USD">0.00</ffd:TtlOfferingAmt>
    <ffd:TtlFeeAmt contextRef="rc" decimals="2" id="ixv-664" unitRef="USD">0.00</ffd:TtlFeeAmt>
    <ffd:TtlPrevslyPdAmt contextRef="rc" decimals="2" id="ixv-665" unitRef="USD">0.00</ffd:TtlPrevslyPdAmt>
    <ffd:TtlOffsetAmt contextRef="rc" decimals="2" id="ixv-666" unitRef="USD">0.00</ffd:TtlOffsetAmt>
    <ffd:NetFeeAmt contextRef="rc" decimals="2" id="ixv-667" unitRef="USD">0.00</ffd:NetFeeAmt>
    <ffd:OfferingNote contextRef="offrl_1" id="ixv-668">(1)    Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.
(2)    The registrant is relying on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to defer payment of all of the registration fee.
(3)    An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices.</ffd:OfferingNote>
    <ffd:OfferingNote contextRef="offrl_2" id="ixv-669">(1)    Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.
(2)    The registrant is relying on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to defer payment of all of the registration fee.
(3)    An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices.
</ffd:OfferingNote>
    <ffd:OfferingNote contextRef="offrl_3" id="ixv-670">(1)    Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.
(2)    The registrant is relying on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to defer payment of all of the registration fee.
(3)    An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices.</ffd:OfferingNote>
    <ffd:OfferingNote contextRef="offrl_4" id="ixv-671">(1)    Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.
(2)    The registrant is relying on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to defer payment of all of the registration fee.
(3)    An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices.
</ffd:OfferingNote>
    <ffd:OfferingNote contextRef="offrl_5" id="ixv-672">(1)    Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.
(2)    The registrant is relying on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to defer payment of all of the registration fee.
(3)    An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices.</ffd:OfferingNote>
    <ffd:OfferingNote contextRef="offrl_6" id="ixv-673">(1)    Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.
(2)    The registrant is relying on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to defer payment of all of the registration fee.
(3)    An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices.</ffd:OfferingNote>
    <ffd:OfferingNote contextRef="offrl_7" id="ixv-674">(1)    Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.
(2)    The registrant is relying on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to defer payment of all of the registration fee.
(3)    An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices.</ffd:OfferingNote>
    <ffd:OfferingNote contextRef="offrl_8" id="ixv-675">(1)    Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.
(2)    The registrant is relying on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to defer payment of all of the registration fee.
(3)    An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices.</ffd:OfferingNote>
    <ffd:OfferingNote contextRef="offrl_9" id="ixv-676">(1)    Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.
(2)    The registrant is relying on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to defer payment of all of the registration fee.
(3)    An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices.</ffd:OfferingNote>
</xbrl>
