Shareowners' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	$ 0					$ 0					$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Common Stock, Value, Issued	702					702					702		702		702
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Beginning balance					(20,230)					(23,974)	(20,230)		(23,974)		(17,855)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax											8,844		841		(9,601)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Tax											2,266		2,903		3,482
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent											11,110		3,744		(6,119)
Ending balance December 31,	(9,120)					(20,230)					(9,120)		(20,230)		(23,974)
Other capital
Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance					33,070					33,693	33,070		33,693		36,890
Gains (losses) on treasury stock dispositions and other											576		623		703
Preferred stock redemption	0					0					0		0		(2,494)
Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance	32,494					33,070					32,494		33,070		33,693
Retained earnings
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance					144,055					137,786	144,055		137,786		131,137
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company	3,206		3,191	3,133	3,527	4,011		3,491	3,105	3,034	13,057		13,641		14,151
Dividends											(8,060)		(7,372)		(7,498)
Other											1		0		4
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance	149,051					144,055					149,051		144,055		137,786
Common Stock Held In Treasury [Abstract]
Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance					(34,571)					(31,769)	(34,571)		(31,769)		(31,938)
Purchases											(10,466)		(5,295)		(2,067)
Dispositions											(2,476)		(2,493)		(2,236)
Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance	(42,561)					(34,571)					(42,561)		(34,571)		(31,769)
Total equity
GE shareowners' equity balance at January 1	130,566					123,026					130,566		123,026		116,438	118,936
Noncontrolling interests	6,217	[1]				5,444	[1]				6,217	[1]	5,444	[1]	1,696	5,262
Total equity balance at December 31	136,783					128,470					136,783		128,470		118,134
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Stock															1,031
Preferred Stock Redemption [Member]
Total equity
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Stock															$ 806

[1] (c)        Included accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests of $(180) million and $(155) million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.