Shareowners' Equity (Reclass Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (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
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									$ 676	$ 2,534	$ 5,745
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,364	3,181	3,299	3,511	4,146	3,508	3,138	3,072	13,355	13,864	14,443
Costs and Expenses									129,894	129,303	126,383
Financial Services Revenue									42,395	43,972	46,957
Interest and other financial charges									10,116	12,407	14,422
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest									16,151	17,381	20,159
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)									(646)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)									3,962
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Interest and other financial charges									(44)	(102)	(200)
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									(2,266)	(2,903)	(3,482)
Subsidiaries GECC [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(992)	521	906
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									6,257	6,278	6,637
Costs and Expenses									36,748	37,435	40,811
Financial Services Revenue									43,941	45,245	48,176
Interest and other financial charges									9,267	11,596	13,760
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest									7,319	7,929	7,513
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial Services Revenue									608	894	(310)
Securities Investment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Income									(540)	(35)	(32)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									222	13	1
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									(318)	(22)	(31)
Currency Translation Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									793	54	357
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									818	174	(381)
Costs and Expenses									25	120	(738)
Cash Flow Hedge [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(177)	(245)	202
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									271	(68)	(978)
Interest and other financial charges									(364)	(499)	(820)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)									248	(116)	150
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest									448	177	(1,180)
Cash Flow Hedge [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial Services Revenue									564	792	(510)
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									1,610	1,604	1,152
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									(3,037)	(2,987)	(2,092)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest									(4,647)	(4,591)	(3,244)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)									(664)	(823)	(855)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)									$ (3,983)	$ (3,768)	$ (2,389)