| Cover Page | Jun. 18, 2020 |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | 8-K/A |
| Document Period End Date | Jun. 18, 2020 |
| Entity Registrant Name | General Electric Co |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000040545 |
| Amendment Flag | true |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | NY |
| Entity File Number | 001-00035 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 14-0689340 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 5 Necco Street |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Boston, |
| Entity Address, State or Province | MA |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 02210 |
| City Area Code | 617 |
| Local Phone Number | 443-3000 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Amendment Description | This Current Report on Form 8-K/A amends the Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 22, 2020 (the “Initial Form 8-K”) by General Electric Company (“GE” or the “Company”), concerning the decision of the Audit Committee of GE’s Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) to select Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, following the completion of the audit services provided by KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 and the filing of the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K on February 12, 2021. |
| Common Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common stock, par value $0.06 per share |
| Trading Symbol | GE |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 0.375% Notes Due 2022 [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 0.375% Notes due 2022 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 22A |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 1.250% Notes Due 2023 [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.250% Notes due 2023 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 23E |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 0.875% Notes Due 2025 [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 0.875% Notes due 2025 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 25 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 1.875% Notes Due 2027 [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.875% Notes due 2027 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 27E |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 1.500% Notes Due 2029 [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.500% Notes due 2029 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 29 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 7.5% Guaranteed Subordinated Notes Due 2035 [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 7 1/2% Guaranteed Subordinated Notes due 2035 |
| Trading Symbol | GE /35 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 2.125% Notes Due 2037 [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 2.125% Notes due 2037 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 37 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
