v3.8.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
May 04, 2018
Document And Entity Information    
Entity Registrant Name BIOTIME INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0000876343  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2018  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   126,873,240
Trading Symbol BTX  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2018