Shareowners' Equity (Reclass Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$ (516)	$ (508)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,952	3,511
Costs and Expenses	(30,722)	(30,804)
Financial Services Revenue	10,132	11,141
GE interest and other financial charges	(2,414)	(2,603)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	3,456	4,139
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	(504)	(1,091)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Securities Investment [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Income	(17)	(228)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(10)	(131)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	124	(34)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(2)	(12)
Costs and Expenses	(126)	22
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedge [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(6)	(47)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	31	(178)
GE interest and other financial charges	(69)	(102)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(22)	22
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	37	(131)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	277	406
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(523)	(770)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	(800)	(1,176)
Prior service cost amortization	(157)	(165)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	(643)	(1,011)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	7	97
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cash Flow Hedge [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial Services Revenue	128	(51)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Financial Services Revenue	134	(33)
GE interest and other financial charges	(6)	(18)
Subsidiaries GECC [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(198)	(84)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,956	1,829
Costs and Expenses	(8,373)	(9,435)
Financial Services Revenue	10,488	11,442
GE interest and other financial charges	(2,161)	(2,382)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	$ 2,142	$ 2,033