Condensed Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Detail) € in Millions, £ in Millions, $ in Millions, ¥ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2022 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2022 JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Assets:
Equity method investments	$ 28,050				$ 16,045
Total assets	948,452				958,784	$ 873,729
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Income taxes, principally deferred	77,020				90,243
Notes payable and other borrowings		€ 8,150	£ 1,750	¥ 1,029
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity	472,360				506,199
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	948,452				958,784
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,777				18,797	$ 12,329	$ 15,004
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills	17,628				9,681
Investments in and advances to consolidated subsidiaries	462,030				486,862
Equity method investments	12,937				13,112
Other assets	12				140
Total assets	495,384				528,592
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities	355				237
Income taxes, principally deferred	1,276				747
Notes payable and other borrowings	21,393				21,409
Total liabilities	23,024				22,393
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity	472,360				506,199
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 495,384				$ 528,592