Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Financing receivables, net	$ 12,243.0		$ 12,242.0
Investment securities (Note 3)	41,949.0		44,313.0
Other Assets	27,668.0		27,176.0
Non-recourse borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	668.0		417.0
Other Liabilities	22,041.0		22,912.0
Total revenues of consolidated VIEs	27,660.0	$ 27,845.0
Consolidated VIE
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Financing receivables, net	948.0		1,035.0
Current Receivables	617.0		727.0
Investment securities (Note 3)	976.0		982.0
Other Assets	3,152.0		3,361.0
Assets VIE	5,693.0		6,105.0
Borrowings	754.0		819.0
Non-recourse borrowings	668.0		417.0
Other Liabilities	3,261.0		3,317.0
Liabilities VIE	4,683.0		4,553.0
Total revenues of consolidated VIEs	252.0	355.0	0.0
Cost of sales and services sold	95.0	344.0	0.0
Alstom Acquisition
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Assets VIE	15,519.0		14,460.0
Liabilities VIE	8,266.0		9,922.0
Redeemable noncontrolling interest in joint venture	2,760.0		2,709.0
Consolidated Securitization Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Commingled cash amounts owed to CSEs	923.0		1,117.0
Commingled cash receivable from CSEs	163.0		5.0
GE
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Financing receivables, net	0.0		0.0
Investment securities (Note 3)	200.0		137.0
Other Assets	12,049.0		12,007.0
Non-recourse borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	0.0		0.0
Other Liabilities	17,446.0		17,506.0
Total revenues of consolidated VIEs	25,481.0	24,607.0
GE \| Consolidated VIE
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Financing receivables, net	0.0		0.0
Current Receivables	63.0		57.0
Investment securities (Note 3)	0.0		0.0
Other Assets	477.0		492.0
Assets VIE	540.0		549.0
Borrowings	0.0		1.0
Non-recourse borrowings	0.0		0.0
Other Liabilities	449.0		457.0
Liabilities VIE	449.0		458.0
GE Capital
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Financing receivables, net	23,853.0		26,041.0
Investment securities (Note 3)	41,754.0		44,180.0
Other Assets	15,202.0		14,608.0
Non-recourse borrowings of consolidated securitization entities	668.0		417.0
Other Liabilities	6,500.0		7,430.0
Total revenues of consolidated VIEs	2,681.0	$ 2,885.0
GE Capital \| Customer Notes Receivable(b)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Financing receivables, net	0.0		0.0
Current Receivables	554.0		670.0
Investment securities (Note 3)	0.0		0.0
Other Assets	1,145.0		1,122.0
Assets VIE	1,699.0		1,792.0
Borrowings	0.0		0.0
Non-recourse borrowings	652.0		401.0
Other Liabilities	1,022.0		1,378.0
Liabilities VIE	1,674.0		1,779.0
GE Capital \| Other
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Financing receivables, net	948.0		1,035.0
Current Receivables	0.0		0.0
Investment securities (Note 3)	976.0		982.0
Other Assets	1,530.0		1,747.0
Assets VIE	3,454.0		3,764.0
Borrowings	754.0		818.0
Non-recourse borrowings	16.0		16.0
Other Liabilities	1,790.0		1,482.0
Liabilities VIE	$ 2,560.0		$ 2,316.0

The commingled cash amount the Company owes to consolidated securitization entities.

No definition available.

Name:	ge_CommingledCashAmountsOwedToConsolidatedSecuritizationEntities
Namespace Prefix:	ge_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The commingled cash receivable from Consolidated Securitization Entities

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ge_CommingledCashReceivableFromConsolidatedSecuritizationEntities
Namespace Prefix:	ge_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Borrowings of consolidated securitization entities with no recourse to the company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ge_NonRecourseBorrowingsOfConsolidatedSecuritizationEntities
Namespace Prefix:	ge_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date for the aggregate of short-term borrowings and long-term borrowings payable to another party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ge_TotalBorrowings
Namespace Prefix:	ge_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a),(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all investments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Investments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of debt for which creditor does not have general recourse to the debtor but rather has recourse only to the property used for collateral in the transaction or other specific property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NonRecourseDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after tax of income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling shareholder, unit holder, partner, or other equity holder of a joint venture.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInNetIncomeLossJointVenturePartnersRedeemable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of assets classified as other.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(10))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(10))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(17))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of liabilities classified as other.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total amount due to the entity within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer) from outside sources, including trade accounts receivable, notes and loans receivable, as well as any other types of receivables, net of allowances established for the purpose of reducing such receivables to an amount that approximates their net realizable value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-06(3))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488278&loc=d3e604059-122996

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(3))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (bb)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64801991&loc=d3e5710-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=ge_AcquisitionAlstomMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=ge_ConsolidatedSecuritizationEntitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=ge_SubsidiariesGeccMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=ge_CustomerNotesReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=ge_Other1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: