Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 22, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	C & F FINANCIAL CORP
Document Type	10-K
Entity Public Float			$ 205,720,132
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000913341
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,486,861
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false