Condensed Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Detail) € in Millions, £ in Millions, $ in Millions, ¥ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2023 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2023 JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Assets:
Equity method investments	$ 29,066				$ 28,050
Total assets	1,069,978				948,465	$ 959,388
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Income taxes, principally deferred	93,009				77,368		$ 72,403
Notes payable and other borrowings		€ 6,850	£ 1,750	¥ 1,259
Total liabilities	499,208				466,784
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity	561,273				473,424		$ 436,736
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,069,978				948,465
The Kraft Heinz Company [Member]
Assets:
Equity method investments	13,230				12,937
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	5,566				2,777	$ 18,797		$ 12,329
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills	16,140				17,628
Investments in and advances to consolidated subsidiaries	546,566				463,094
Other assets	16				12
Total assets	581,518				496,448
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities	235				355
Income taxes, principally deferred	1,229				1,276
Notes payable and other borrowings	18,781				21,393
Total liabilities	20,245				23,024
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity	561,273				473,424
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	581,518				496,448
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | The Kraft Heinz Company [Member]
Assets:
Equity method investments	$ 13,230				$ 12,937