Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF ATLANTA
Entity Central Index Key	0001331465
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		51,685,103
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	000-51845
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	X1
Entity Address, Address Line One	1475 Peachtree Street, NE
Entity Address, City or Town	Atlanta
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	30309
Entity Tax Identification Number	56-6000442
City Area Code	404
Local Phone Number	888-8000
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes