Condensed Financial Information - Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ (22,819)	$ 89,795	$ 42,521
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to operating cash flows:
Investment (gains) losses	67,623	(77,576)	(40,905)
Income taxes payable	(12,892)	15,297	7,195
Other	(4,324)	(3,397)	11,263
Net cash flows from operating activities	37,224	39,421	39,773
Cash flows from investing activities:
Other	239	770	(3,961)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(87,601)	29,392	(37,757)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Acquisition of treasury stock	(7,854)	(27,061)	(24,706)
Other	(1,979)	(695)	(429)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(1,662)	(28,508)	(18,344)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(52,307)	40,310	(16,236)
Other cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	4,236	5,412	5,001
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	(22,819)	89,795	42,521
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to operating cash flows:
Investment (gains) losses	34	(35)	24
Undistributed (earnings) losses of consolidated subsidiaries	39,639	(74,819)	(17,402)
Non-cash dividends from subsidiaries	(7,220)	(2,126)	(8,296)
Income taxes payable	661	(389)	(72)
Other	(1,833)	(1,038)	1,100
Net cash flows from operating activities	8,462	11,388	17,875
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in and advances to consolidated subsidiaries, net	(11,852)	(174)	(1,947)
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills	(44,187)	(34,988)	(54,715)
Sales and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills	37,915	57,296	59,035
Other	128		11
Net cash flows from investing activities	(17,996)	22,134	2,384
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	1,970	2,174	2,923
Repayments of borrowings	(602)	(2,167)	(1,151)
Acquisition of treasury stock	(7,854)	(27,061)	(24,706)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(6,486)	(27,054)	(22,934)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(16,020)	6,468	(2,675)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	18,797	12,329	15,004
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	2,777	18,797	12,329
Other cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	2,259	3,403	3,391
Interest paid	$ 332	$ 377	$ 359