Document And Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jul. 19, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Entity Registrant Name	BIOTIME INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000876343
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 123,743,749
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		48,869,323
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011