Name:	gis_DebtInstrumentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	gis
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 21
-Paragraph 16, 20

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter, etc.).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 2, 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the interest rate derivative, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Debt (Details3) (Notes Payable Other Payables [Member], USD $) In Millions	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	May 29, 2011	May 31, 2009 5.25 Percent Member	May 31, 2009 5.65 Percent Member	May 29, 2011 5.4 Percent Member	May 29, 2011 1.55 Percent [Member]	May 29, 2011 5.4 Percent 2040 [Member]	May 29, 2011 Floating Rate [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Face Amount		$ 700.0	$ 1,200.0		$ 300.0	$ 500.0	$ 400.0
Maturity Date				Jan. 01, 1
Description Of Variable Rate Basis	The floating-rate notes bear interest equal to three-month LIBOR plus 35 basis points, subject to quarterly reset.