v3.19.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
May 06, 2019
LifeMap Solutions, Inc [Member]    
Entity Registrant Name BIOTIME INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0000876343  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2019  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business Flag true  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Ex Transition Period false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   149,642,861
Trading Symbol BTX  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019