Condensed Financial Information - Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
From consolidated subsidiaries:
Investment gains (losses)	$ 74,855	$ (67,623)	$ 77,576
Equity method earnings	1,973	1,863	886
Total revenues	364,482	302,020	276,185
Cost and expense items:
Interest expense	5,003	4,352	4,172
Income tax expense (benefit)	23,019	(8,502)	20,912
Total costs and expenses	321,144	266,484	243,752
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	96,223	(22,759)	89,937
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	97,512	(19,688)	91,808
The Kraft Heinz Company [Member]
From consolidated subsidiaries:
Equity method earnings	758	628	269
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member]
From consolidated subsidiaries:
Dividends and distributions	9,717	15,724	13,462
Undistributed earnings (losses)	85,550	(39,579)	74,961
Total income from consolidated subsidiaries	95,267	(23,855)	88,423
Investment gains (losses)	(7)	(34)	35
Other income	906	413	73
Total revenues	96,924	(22,848)	88,800
Cost and expense items:
General and administrative	244	131	136
Interest expense	636	513	444
Foreign exchange gains on non-U.S. Dollar denominated debt	(371)	(1,401)	(1,281)
Income tax expense (benefit)	192	668	(436)
Total costs and expenses	701	(89)	(1,137)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	96,223	(22,759)	89,937
Other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	1,289	3,071	1,871
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	97,512	(19,688)	91,808
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | The Kraft Heinz Company [Member]
From consolidated subsidiaries:
Equity method earnings	$ 758	$ 628	$ 269