SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions			3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares	Oct. 02, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)		Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2015 joint_venture	Apr. 01, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Decrease in total equity balance						$ (17,547)
Non-cash after tax goodwill impairment charge						(22,371)
Increase in non-controlling interest due to reduction in economic interest in BHGE						4,214
Preferred stock issued			$ 6		$ 6	6				$ 6
Noncontrolling interests			20,485	[1]	17,228	20,485	[1]			20,500	[1]
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests			30		67
Dividends received attributable to noncontrolling interests			(106)		(83)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests			416			416				382
Net earnings (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests			27		(33)
Number of joint ventures formed | joint_venture								3
BHGE | Scenario, Forecast
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Incremental loss upon deconsolidation	$ (7,300)
Grid Technology Joint Venture
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Amount to be paid to exercise redemption rights		$ 3,105
Baker Hughes
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests			19,271			19,271				$ 19,239
Subsequent Event | BHGE
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 25.58
GE
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock issued			5,613			5,613
Preferred stock dividends			40		$ 37
GE | Subsequent Event
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock issued									$ 5,944
GE | Series D Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock issued			$ 5,694			$ 5,694						$ 5,694
GE | Series A, B and C Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, value outstanding												$ 250

[1] Included AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interests of $(350) million and $(451) million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.