Shareowners' Equity (Reclass Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$ (193)	$ (310)	$ (709)	$ (818)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,545	3,299	6,497	6,810
Costs and Expenses	(32,454)	(31,326)	(63,176)	(62,130)
Financial Services Revenue	9,797	10,453	19,929	21,594
GE interest and other financial charges	(2,345)	(2,600)	(4,759)	(5,203)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	3,779	3,733	7,235	7,872
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(741)	(554)	(1,245)	(1,645)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Securities Investment [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Income	36	(23)	19	(251)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	25	(7)	15	(138)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	0	112	124	78
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(38)	112	(40)	100
Costs and Expenses	(38)	0	(164)	22
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedge [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	15	(18)	9	(65)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(204)	93	(173)	(85)
GE interest and other financial charges			(129)	(194)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(12)	46	(34)	68
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	(219)	111	(182)	(20)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes			554	807
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(524)	(752)	(1,047)	(1,522)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	(801)	(1,153)	(1,601)	(2,329)
Prior service cost amortization	(161)	(166)	(318)	(331)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	(640)	(987)	(1,283)	(1,998)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(11)	16	(4)	113
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Cash Flow Hedge [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Interest Income (Expense), Net	60	92
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cash Flow Hedge [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial Services Revenue	(147)	157	(19)	106
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial Services Revenue	(145)	170	(11)	137
GE interest and other financial charges	2	13	(8)	(31)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	277	401
Subsidiaries GECC [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	216	(13)	18	(97)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,838	1,818	3,794	3,647
Costs and Expenses	(8,589)	(8,962)	(16,962)	(18,397)
Financial Services Revenue	10,213	10,885	20,701	22,327
GE interest and other financial charges	(2,071)	(2,388)	(4,232)	(4,770)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	$ 1,658	$ 1,954	$ 3,800	$ 3,987