Basis of Presentation and Reclassifications (Details)	12 Months Ended
May 27, 2012
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND RECLASSIFICATIONS [Abstract]
Annual Reporting Period, Weeks	364 days
Annual Reporting Period, Months	12 months
Change In Reporting Period	13 months

The number of months, weeks, or days, in the presented reporting period(s) which differes from the historically comparable periods.

No definition available.

Name:	gis_ChangeInReportingPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	gis_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration