Cover Page - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 13, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Cover page.
Entity Registrant Name	XCEL ENERGY INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000072903
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-3034
Entity Tax Identification Number	41-0448030
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MN
Entity Address, Address Line One	414 Nicollet Mall
Entity Address, City or Town	Minneapolis
Entity Address, State or Province	MN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	55401
City Area Code	612
Local Phone Number	330-5500
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $2.50 par value
Trading Symbol	XEL
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 30,629,347,167
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		524,669,024