DEI Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 03, 2013
DEI [Abstract]
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Registrant Name	CAPITAL REALTY INVESTORS III LTD PARTNERSHIP
Entity Central Index Key	0000722833
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Partnership Units Outstanding		59,882
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float	$ 0