DEI Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 14, 2013
DEI [Abstract]
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-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Partnership Units Outstanding		59,882