Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Revenues:
Investment gains/losses		$ 290	$ 643	$ 605	$ 2,493
Total revenues		57,518	54,254	122,705	106,417
Costs and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses				27,313	14,710
Total costs and expenses		51,698	47,088	111,436	93,035
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of Kraft Heinz Company		5,820	7,166	11,269	13,382
Equity in earnings of Kraft Heinz Company		309	206	548	446
Earnings before income taxes		6,129	7,372	11,817	13,828
Income tax expense		1,774	2,290	3,323	3,089
Net earnings		4,355	5,082	8,494	10,739
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		93	81	172	149
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		$ 4,262	$ 5,001	$ 8,322	$ 10,590
Class A [Member]
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders:
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	[1]	$ 2,592	$ 3,042	$ 5,060	$ 6,443
Average equivalent Class A Shares outstanding	[1]	1,644,580	1,643,745	1,644,503	1,643,616
Insurance and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Insurance premiums earned		$ 12,367	$ 10,799	$ 34,120	$ 21,923
Sales and service revenues		31,733	30,542	61,962	58,821
Interest, dividend and other investment income		1,322	1,411	2,484	2,562
Investment gains/losses		287	640	599	2,486
Total revenues		45,709	43,392	99,165	85,792
Costs and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses		8,747	7,178	27,313	14,710
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		1,263	1,241	2,490	2,408
Insurance underwriting expenses		2,378	1,870	4,717	3,947
Cost of sales and services		25,419	24,349	49,779	47,145
Selling, general and administrative expenses		4,020	4,066	8,136	7,788
Interest expense		700	28	970	415
Total costs and expenses		42,527	38,732	93,405	76,413
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues		9,843	8,851	19,247	17,696
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses		6,940	6,339	13,694	12,658
Interest expense		697	596	1,390	1,281
Total costs and expenses		7,637	6,935	15,084	13,939
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Revenues:
Sales and service revenues		1,664	1,577	3,178	2,969
Interest, dividend and other investment income		364	411	714	743
Investment gains/losses		3	3	6	7
Derivative gains/losses		(65)	20	395	(790)
Total revenues		1,966	2,011	4,293	2,929
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and services		962	875	1,829	1,643
Selling, general and administrative expenses		469	443	911	836
Interest expense		103	103	207	204
Total costs and expenses		$ 1,534	$ 1,421	$ 2,947	$ 2,683

[1] Equivalent Class B shares outstanding are 1,500 times the equivalent Class A amount. Net earnings per equivalent Class B share outstanding are one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of the equivalent Class A amount.