<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.1.9</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>49</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>233</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>30</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000100 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010100 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLossUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060100 - Disclosure - Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Liquidity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/OrganizationBasisOfPresentationAndLiquidity</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Liquidity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060200 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060300 - Disclosure - Inventory</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/Inventory</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060400 - Disclosure - Equipment, net and construction in progress</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/EquipmentNetAndConstructionInProgress</Role>
      <ShortName>Equipment, net and construction in progress</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060500 - Disclosure - Intangible assets, net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/IntangibleAssetsNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible assets, net</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060600 - Disclosure - Royalty Obligation and Deferred License Fees</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/RoyaltyObligationAndDeferredLicenseFees</Role>
      <ShortName>Royalty Obligation and Deferred License Fees</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060700 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060800 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions and Related Party Convertible Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsAndRelatedPartyConvertibleDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions and Related Party Convertible Debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060900 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061000 - Disclosure - Sales of BioTime Common Shares by Subsidiaries</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/SalesOfBiotimeCommonSharesBySubsidiaries</Role>
      <ShortName>Sales of BioTime Common Shares by Subsidiaries</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061200 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>070200 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080100 - Disclosure - Organization, Basis of Presentation and Liquidity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/OrganizationBasisOfPresentationAndLiquidityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization, Basis of Presentation and Liquidity (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080400 - Disclosure - Equipment, net and construction in progress (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/EquipmentNetAndConstructionInProgressTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equipment, net and construction in progress (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080500 - Disclosure - Intangible assets, net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/IntangibleAssetsNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible assets, net (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080601 - Disclosure - Royalty Obligation and Deferred License Fees (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/RoyaltyObligationAndDeferredLicenseFeesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Royalty Obligation and Deferred License Fees (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080700 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090100 - Disclosure - Organization, Basis of Presentation and Liquidity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/OrganizationBasisOfPresentationAndLiquidityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization, Basis of Presentation and Liquidity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090200 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090300 - Disclosure - Inventory (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/InventoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090400 - Disclosure - Equipment, net and construction in progress (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/EquipmentNetAndConstructionInProgressDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equipment, net and construction in progress (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090500 - Disclosure - Intangible assets, net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/IntangibleAssetsNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible assets, net (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090602 - Disclosure - Royalty Obligation and Deferred License Fees (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/RoyaltyObligationAndDeferredLicenseFeesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Royalty Obligation and Deferred License Fees (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090700 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090800 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions and Related Party Convertible Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsAndRelatedPartyConvertibleDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions and Related Party Convertible Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090900 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091000 - Disclosure - Sales of BioTime Common Shares by Subsidiaries (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/SalesOfBiotimeCommonSharesBySubsidiariesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Sales of BioTime Common Shares by Subsidiaries (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091100 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091200 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 31, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010100 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 020000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 030000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 040000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>btx-20150331.xml</File>
    <File>btx-20150331.xsd</File>
    <File>btx-20150331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>btx-20150331_def.xml</File>
    <File>btx-20150331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>btx-20150331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
