Name:	brka_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteoffsNetOfRecoveries
Namespace Prefix:	brka_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the remaining amount to be received on the redemption of the convertible perpetual capital instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	brka_ConvertiblePerpetualCapitalInstrumentReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	brka_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Percent of loan balances evaluated collectively for impairment.

No definition available.

Name:	brka_PercentOfLoanBalancesEvaluatedCollectivelyForImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	brka_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Percent of loan balances evaluated individually for impairment.

No definition available.

Name:	brka_PercentOfLoanBalancesEvaluatedIndividuallyForImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	brka_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Percent of loan balances that are performing.

No definition available.

Name:	brka_PercentOfLoanBalancesPerforming
Namespace Prefix:	brka_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Percent of loan balances that are current as to payment status.

No definition available.

Name:	brka_PercentOfLoanBalancesWithPaymentStatusCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	brka_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Reflects the amount charged against earnings during the period as bad debt expense, net of recoveries of previously expensed credit losses.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 114

-Paragraph 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 9

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph d

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5212-111524

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesProvisionForLossNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Reflects the cumulative amount of fees paid by consumer borrowers which have not yet been taken into income and unamortized costs incurred to originate consumer loans and leases, unamortized consumer loan commitments and consumer loan syndication fees, and premiums over or discounts from face amounts of consumer loans that are being amortized into income as an adjustment to yield.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 91

-Paragraph 21

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6378536&loc=d3e10092-111533