Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Revenues:
Leasing revenues		$ 2,222	$ 2,044
Total revenues		89,869	85,393
Investment gains (losses)		1,876	34,758
Costs and expenses:
Total costs and expenses		76,532	76,087
Earnings before income taxes and equity method earnings		15,213	44,064
Equity method earnings		493	688
Earnings before income taxes		15,706	44,752
Income tax expense		2,874	8,995
Net earnings		12,832	35,757
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		130	253
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		$ 12,702	$ 35,504
Equivalent Class A [Member]
Earnings per share:
Net earnings per average equivalent		$ 8,825	$ 24,377
Average equivalent shares outstanding		1,439,370	1,456,438
Equivalent Class B [Member]
Earnings per share:
Net earnings per average equivalent	[1]	$ 5.88	$ 16.25
Average equivalent shares outstanding		2,159,055,134	2,184,657,109
Insurance and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Insurance premiums earned		$ 21,474	$ 19,796
Sales and service revenues		37,472	38,388
Leasing revenues		2,222	2,044
Interest, dividend and other investment income		4,305	3,229
Total revenues		65,473	63,457
Costs and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses		13,448	14,221
Life, annuity and health benefits		945	785
Insurance underwriting expenses		3,753	3,587
Cost of sales and services		29,395	30,319
Cost of leasing		1,691	1,477
Selling, general and administrative expenses		4,773	5,602
Interest expense		316	328
Total costs and expenses		54,321	56,319
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Revenues:
Freight rail transportation revenues		5,637	6,001
Utility and energy operating revenues		17,690	14,917
Service revenues and other income		1,069	1,018
Total revenues		24,396	21,936
Costs and expenses:
Freight rail transportation expenses		3,938	4,161
Utilities and energy cost of sales and other expenses		16,268	13,846
Other expenses		1,005	871
Interest expense		1,000	890
Total costs and expenses		$ 22,211	$ 19,768

[1] Net earnings per average equivalent Class B share outstanding are equal to one-fifteen-hundredth of the equivalent Class A amount. See Note 19.