GECC Borrowings and Bank Deposits (Parenthetical) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings	$ 220,992	$ 221,665
Bank deposits	54,743	53,361
Short-term borrowings	76,121	77,890
Non Recourse Borrowings Of Consolidated Securitization Entities	28,724	30,124
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Senior Notes	3,000
Notes Due In 2024 [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Senior Notes	750
Senior Unsecured Note Interest Rate	3.375%
Notes Due In 2044 [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Senior Notes	2,250
Senior Unsecured Note Interest Rate	4.50%
Subsidiaries GECC [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings	206,654	210,279
Secured Debt	9,338	9,468
Bank deposits	54,743	53,361
Short-term borrowings	75,102	77,298
Non Recourse Borrowings Of Consolidated Securitization Entities	28,724	30,124
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Guaranteed investment contracts [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings	481	481
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Subordinated Notes Guaranteed By GE [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Long-term borrowings	300	300
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Non US Banks [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Bank deposits	13,458	13,614
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Secured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	19,305	18,275
Subsidiaries GECC [Member] | Non Recourse [Member]
Borrowings And Bank Deposits [Line Items]
Secured Debt	$ 2,733	$ 2,868