Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Revenues:
Leasing revenues		$ 8,416	$ 7,514	$ 5,988
Total revenues		364,482	302,020	276,185
Investment and derivative contract gains (losses)		74,855	(67,899)	78,542
Costs and expenses:
Interest expense		5,003	4,352	4,172
Total costs and expenses		321,144	266,484	243,752
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity method earnings		118,193	(32,363)	110,975
Equity method earnings		1,973	1,863	886
Earnings (loss) before income taxes		120,166	(30,500)	111,861
Income tax expense (benefit)		23,019	(8,502)	20,912
Net earnings (loss)		97,147	(21,998)	90,949
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		924	761	1,012
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		$ 96,223	$ (22,759)	$ 89,937
Equivalent Class A [Member]
Earnings per share:
Net earnings (loss) per average equivalent		$ 66,412	$ (15,494)	$ 59,554
Average equivalent shares outstanding		1,448,880	1,468,876	1,510,180
Equivalent Class B [Member]
Earnings per share:
Net earnings (loss) per average equivalent	[1]	$ 44.27	$ (10.33)	$ 39.70
Average equivalent shares outstanding		2,173,319,709	2,203,313,642	2,265,269,867
Insurance and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Insurance premiums earned		$ 83,403	$ 74,576	$ 69,460
Sales and service revenues		155,687	157,518	145,043
Leasing revenues		8,416	7,514	5,988
Interest, dividend and other investment income		15,561	10,263	7,465
Total revenues		263,067	249,871	227,956
Costs and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses		57,187	57,646	49,964
Life, annuity and health benefits		4,029	5,243	5,824
Insurance underwriting expenses		15,270	11,706	12,559
Cost of sales and services		122,569	124,319	114,138
Cost of leasing		6,037	5,550	4,201
Selling, general and administrative expenses		22,605	19,506	18,843
Interest expense		1,258	1,187	1,086
Total costs and expenses		228,955	225,157	206,615
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Revenues:
Freight rail transportation revenues		23,791	25,802	23,177
Utility and energy operating revenues		72,693	21,023	18,891
Service revenues and other income		4,931	5,324	6,161
Total revenues		101,415	52,149	48,229
Costs and expenses:
Freight rail transportation expenses		16,464	17,282	14,477
Utilities and energy cost of sales and other expenses		67,964	15,896	13,959
Other expenses		4,016	4,984	5,615
Interest expense		3,745	3,165	3,086
Total costs and expenses		$ 92,189	$ 41,327	$ 37,137

[1] Net earnings per average equivalent Class B share outstanding are equal to one-fifteen-hundredth of the equivalent Class A amount. See Note 22.