| Cover | Dec. 09, 2019 |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Document Period End Date | Dec. 9, 2019 |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 |
| Entity File Number | 001-00035 |
| Entity Registrant Name | General Electric Company |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000040545 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 14-0689340 |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | NY |
| 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 |
| Common Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common stock, par value $0.06 per share |
| Trading Symbol | GE |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Floating Rate Notes Due 2020 [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Floating Rate Notes due 2020 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 20E |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Sec 0. 375 Notes Due 2022 [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 0.375% Notes due 2022 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 22A |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Sec 1. 250 Notes Due 2023 [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.250% Notes due 2023 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 23E |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Sec 0. 875 Notes Due 2025 [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 0.875% Notes due 2025 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 25 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Sec 1. 875 Notes Due 2027 [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.875% Notes due 2027 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 27E |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Sec 1. 500 Notes Due 2029 [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.500% Notes due 2029 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 29 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Sec 712 Guaranteed Subordinated Notes Due 2035 [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 7 1/2% Guaranteed Subordinated Notes due 2035 |
| Trading Symbol | GE /35 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Sec 2. 125 Notes Due 2037 [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 2.125% Notes due 2037 |
| Trading Symbol | GE 37 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Former Address [Member] | |
| Entity Addresses [Line Items] | |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 41 Farnsworth Street |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Boston |
| Entity Address, State or Province | MA |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 0221 |
