Condensed Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 28,048	$ 67,161	$ 60,033	$ 45,907
Total assets	620,854	552,257	525,867
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Income taxes, principally deferred	77,944	63,126
Total liabilities	334,495	293,630
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity	283,001	255,550
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	620,854	552,257
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	3,221	10,609	$ 9,449	$ 3,412
U.S. Treasury Bills	8,220
Total cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills	11,441	10,609
Investments in fixed maturity and equity securities and other assets	59	113
Investments in and advances to/from consolidated subsidiaries	277,398	233,977
Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company	15,345	23,424
Total assets	304,243	268,123
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities	182	111
Income taxes, principally deferred	3,357	2,663
Notes payable and other borrowings	17,703	9,799
Total liabilities	21,242	12,573
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity	283,001	255,550
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 304,243	$ 268,123