v3.10.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Nov. 07, 2018
Document And Entity Information    
Entity Registrant Name BIOTIME INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0000876343  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2018  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business Flag false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Ex Transition Period false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   126,964,037
Trading Symbol BTX  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2018