Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 232,281	$ 292,259	$ 295,479
Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes: [Abstract]
Net change in unrealized gain (loss)		(41,521)	(46,803)	136,775
Reclassification adjustments included in earnings: [Abstract]
Interest revenue, Investment securities, Taxable securities		(112)	(503)	(1,216)
Interest expense, Subordinated debentures		0	121	296
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings		0	1,819	373
Gain on available for sale securities, net		(11,675)	(12,058)	(1,539)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes		(53,308)	(57,424)	134,689
Federal and state income taxes	[1]	(20,754)	(22,338)	52,393
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		(32,554)	(35,086)	82,296
Comprehensive income		199,727	257,173	377,775
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests		(387)	3,694	3,044
Comprehensive income attributable to BOK Financial Corp. shareholders		$ 200,114	$ 253,479	$ 374,731

[1] Calculated using 39% effective tax rate.