SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY - Schedule of Shareowners' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018		Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018		Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017		Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred stock issued	$ 6		$ 6	$ 6		$ 6		$ 6
Common stock issued	702		702	702		702		702
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance				73,498
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,967)		843	(977)		1,612
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income	1,182		467	1,895		1,525
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(784)		1,310	918		3,138
Ending balance	71,754		69,006	71,754		69,006
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance				73,498
Gains (losses) on treasury stock dispositions	13		20	(32)		244
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company	800		1,057	(347)		974
GE shareowners' equity balance	55,069		67,372	55,069		67,372		56,030
Noncontrolling interests	16,685	[1]	1,634	16,685	[1]	1,634	$ 17,228	17,468	[1]	$ 1,639	$ 1,663
Ending balance	71,754		69,006	71,754		69,006
Adjustments to deferred acquisition costs, present value of future profits, and investment contracts, insurance liabilities and insurance annuity benefits	534		(90)	1,472		(189)
Currency translation gains and losses on dispositions	0		(2)	0		510
Retained earnings	114,913			114,913				117,245
ASU 2014-09 | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Retained earnings								(8,061)				$ (4,240)
ASU 2015-11
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Retained earnings								(377)				$ (105)
ASU 2016-16
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Retained earnings								$ 464
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	(12,862)		(16,766)	(14,404)		(18,588)
Ending balance	(13,432)		(15,457)	(13,432)		(15,457)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	(12,862)		(16,766)	(14,404)		(18,588)
Ending balance	(13,432)		(15,457)	(13,432)		(15,457)
Investment securities - net of deferred taxes
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	31		291	141		309
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, deferred taxes	(17)		146	48		159
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income	(7)		(48)	(16)		(118)
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income, deferred taxes	0		(25)	(2)		(61)
Currency translation - net of deferred taxes
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(2,049)		482	(1,217)		740
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, deferred taxes	190		(207)	41		(241)
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income	380		34	378		588
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income, deferred taxes	0		(1)	0		(541)
Cash flow hedges - net of deferred taxes
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(131)		44	(27)		64
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, deferred taxes	(39)		(8)	(7)		(2)
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income	50		(54)	0		(55)
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income, deferred taxes	22		(10)	7		(9)
Benefit plans - net of deferred taxes
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	182		25	126		499
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, deferred taxes	56		32	55		133
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income	758		536	1,533		1,110
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income, deferred taxes	218		270	436		558
AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interests
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance				(226)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(213)		1	(53)		7
Ending balance	(279)			(279)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance				(226)
Ending balance	(279)			(279)
AOCI attributable to parent
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(571)		1,309	971		3,131
Other capital
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	37,339		37,448	37,384		37,224
Ending balance	37,352		37,468	37,352		37,468
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	37,339		37,448	37,384		37,224
Ending balance	37,352		37,468	37,352		37,468
Retained earnings
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	115,477		131,544	117,245		133,856
Ending balance	114,913		130,270	114,913		130,270
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	115,477		131,544	117,245		133,856
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company	800		1,057	(347)		974
Dividends and other transactions with shareowners	(1,231)		(2,265)	(2,309)		(4,393)
Redemption value adjustment for redeemable noncontrolling interests	(133)		(66)	(176)		(167)
Other changes	0		0	500		0
Ending balance	114,913		130,270	114,913		130,270
Common stock held in treasury
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax
Beginning balance	(84,697)		(84,833)	(84,902)		(83,038)
Ending balance	(84,471)		(85,617)	(84,471)		(85,617)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	(84,697)		(84,833)	(84,902)		(83,038)
Purchases	(58)		(1,261)	(143)		(3,620)
Dispositions	284		477	574		1,041
Ending balance	$ (84,471)		$ (85,617)	$ (84,471)		$ (85,617)

[1] Included AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interests of $(279) million and $(226) million at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.