| Cover Cover | Oct. 17, 2019 |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000092230 |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | 200 West Second Street |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Winston-Salem, |
| Entity Address, State or Province | NC |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 27101 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | NC |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Oct. 17, 2019 |
| Entity Registrant Name | BB&T Corporation |
| Entity File Number | 1-10853 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 56-0939887 |
| City Area Code | 336 |
| Local Phone Number | 733-2000 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Common Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, $5 par value |
| Trading Symbol | BBT |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series F Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Depositary Shares each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of Series F Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | BBT PrF |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series G Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Depositary Shares each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of Series G Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | BBT PrG |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series H Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Depositary Shares each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of Series H Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | BBT PrH |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
