Summary of Operating Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 34,178		$ 34,943
Corporate items and eliminations revenues	(886)		801
Segment profit	5,212		4,874
GE interest and other financial charges	(2,414)		(2,603)
GE provision for income taxes	(516)		(508)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	2,987		3,647
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	12		(120)
Consolidated net earnings attributable to the Company	2,999		3,527
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.02%)
Favorable Unfavorable Change In Corporate items and eliminations	U
Percent increase decrease in GE interest and other financial charges	0.13%
Percent increase decrease in GE provision for income taxes	(0.25%)
Percent increase decrease in Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(0.18%)
Favorable Unfavorable Change In Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	F
Percent increase decrease in net earnings attributable to the Company	(0.15%)
Power And Water [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,509		4,825
Segment profit	888		719
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	0.14%
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	0.24%
Oil And Gas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,308		3,399
Segment profit	446		325
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	0.27%
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	0.37%
Energy Management [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,672		1,748
Segment profit	5		15
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.04%)
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	(0.67%)
Aviation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,778		5,074
Segment profit	1,115		936
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	0.14%
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	0.19%
Healthcare [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,198		4,289
Segment profit	570		595
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.02%)
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	(0.04%)
Transportation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,227		1,422
Segment profit	202		267
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.14%)
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	(0.24%)
Appliances And Lighting [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,857		1,917
Segment profit	53		79
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.03%)
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	(0.33%)
GE Capital [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,515		11,468
Segment profit	1,933		1,938
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	(0.08%)
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	0.00%
Industrial Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	24,549		22,674
Segment profit	3,279		2,936
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	0.08%
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	0.12%
Total Segment Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	35,064		34,142
Percent Increase Decrease In Revenues	0.03%
Percent increase decrease in Segment Profit	0.07%
Corporate Items And Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	(1,542)		(479)
Favorable Unfavorable Change In Revenues	U
Subsidiaries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	26,105	[1]	25,861	[1]
GE interest and other financial charges	(365)	[1]	(324)	[1]
GE provision for income taxes	(318)	[1]	(424)	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	2,987	[1]	3,647	[1]
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	12	[1]	(120)	[1]
Consolidated net earnings attributable to the Company	$ 2,999	[1]	$ 3,527	[1]

[1] Represents the adding together of all affiliated companies except General Electric Capital Corporation (GECC or Financial Services), which is presented on a one-line basis.