Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 15, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	XCEL ENERGY INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000072903
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 16,313,953,331
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		507,553,673
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	507,535,523		506,959,395	505,733,267
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015