XML 83 R49.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Financial Instruments, Risk Management Activities, and Fair Values (Schedule of interest rate hedge in AOCI) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Nov. 23, 2014
Jan. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Pe-tax hedge gain (loss) in AOCI $ (59.6)gis_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPreTaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome1  
5.2% Notes Due March 2015 Member    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Pe-tax hedge gain (loss) in AOCI (0.1)gis_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPreTaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_FiveTwoPercentNotesDueMarch2015Member
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 5.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_FiveTwoPercentNotesDueMarch2015Member
 
5.7% Notes Due February 2017 Member    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Pe-tax hedge gain (loss) in AOCI (4.9)gis_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPreTaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_FiveSevenPercentNotesDueFebruary2017Member
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 5.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_FiveSevenPercentNotesDueFebruary2017Member
 
5.65% Notes Due February 2019 Member    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Pe-tax hedge gain (loss) in AOCI 2.1gis_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPreTaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_FiveSixFivePercentNotesDueFebruary2019Member
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 5.65%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_FiveSixFivePercentNotesDueFebruary2019Member
 
3.15% Notes Due December 2021 Member    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Pe-tax hedge gain (loss) in AOCI (69.9)gis_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPreTaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_ThreeOneFivePercentNotesDueDecember2021Member
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.15%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_ThreeOneFivePercentNotesDueDecember2021Member
 
3.65% Notes Due February 2024 Member    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Pe-tax hedge gain (loss) in AOCI 16.4gis_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPreTaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_ThreeSixFivePercentNotesDueFebruary2024Member
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.65%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_ThreeSixFivePercentNotesDueFebruary2024Member
3.65%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_ThreeSixFivePercentNotesDueFebruary2024Member
5.4% Notes Due June 2040 Member    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Pe-tax hedge gain (loss) in AOCI (14.3)gis_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPreTaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_FiveFourPercentNotesDueJune2040Member
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 5.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_FiveFourPercentNotesDueJune2040Member
 
4.15% Notes Due February 2043 Member    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Pe-tax hedge gain (loss) in AOCI $ 11.1gis_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesPreTaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_FourOneFivePercentNotesDueFebruary2043Member
 
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.15%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gis_FourOneFivePercentNotesDueFebruary2043Member