Summary of Operating Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	$ 36,501		$ 35,456		$ 71,663		$ 69,291
Corporate items and eliminations revenues	0		167		20		4,661
Consolidated revenues	36,501		35,623		71,683		73,952
Segment profit	5,866		5,121		10,927		9,895
Corporate items and eliminations	(1,465)		(684)		(2,510)		1,808
GE interest and other financial charges	(3,211)		(3,770)		(6,569)		(7,566)
GE provision for income taxes	(494)		(892)		(1,131)		(4,834)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	3,658		3,570		6,909		6,968
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(553)		194		(770)		229
Consolidated net earnings attributable to the Company	3,105		3,764		6,139		7,197
Subsidiaries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated revenues	27,669	[1]	25,252	[1]	53,748	[1]	52,809	[1]
GE interest and other financial charges	(351)	[1]	(321)	[1]	(666)	[1]	(676)	[1]
GE provision for income taxes	(392)	[1]	(546)	[1]	(842)	[1]	(4,059)	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	3,658	[1]	3,570	[1]	6,909	[1]	6,968	[1]
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(553)	[1]	194	[1]	(770)	[1]	229	[1]
Consolidated net earnings attributable to the Company	3,105	[1]	3,764	[1]	6,139	[1]	7,197	[1]
Energy Infrastructure [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	11,919		10,402		23,087		19,851
Segment profit	1,755		1,552		3,279		2,933
Aviation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	4,855		4,732		9,746		9,100
Segment profit	922		959		1,784		1,800
Healthcare [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	4,500		4,498		8,800		8,588
Segment profit	694		711		1,279		1,242
Transportation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	1,565		1,231		2,835		2,134
Segment profit	282		178		514		335
Home Business Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	2,204		2,153		4,295		4,142
Segment profit	91		106		157		180
GE Capital [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	11,458		12,440		22,900		25,476
Segment profit	2,122		1,615		3,914		3,405
Industrial Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	25,043		23,016		48,763		43,815
Segment profit	$ 3,744		$ 3,506		$ 7,013		$ 6,490

[1] (a) Represents the adding together of all affiliated companies except General Electric Capital Corporation. (GECC or financial services), which is presented on a one-line basis.