| **Segment Information Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|
||
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                         |           |           |   |   |
| Number Of Reportable Segment                                                                           |           |           | 5 |   |
| Decrease in segment revenue due to segment reclassification                                            | $ 5,326        | $ 4,741        | $ 10,681 | $ 9,266 |
| Increase in profit due to segment reclassification                                                     | 589            | 563            | 1,162 | 1,151 |
| Impact on Revenue [Member]                                                                             |           |           |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                         |           |           |   |   |
| Decrease in segment revenue due to segment reclassification                                            |           | (29)           |   | (52) |
| Impact on Profit Before Tax [Member]                                                                   |           |           |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                         |           |           |   |   |
| Increase in profit due to segment reclassification                                                     |           | $ 10           |   | $ 19 |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of reportable segment.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**bhi_NumberOfReportableSegment**Namespace Prefix:**bhi_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 5 -Section 03 -Paragraph 10
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 5 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |