The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 18
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Notes payable and other borrowings - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)		1 Months Ended					1 Months Ended
	Feb. 11, 2010 Insurance and Other [Member] Unsecured Debt [Member]	Feb. 11, 2010 Insurance and Other [Member] Floating Rate Notes Due 2011 [Member]	Jan. 31, 2011 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Unsecured Notes Due In 2021 at 4.25% [Member] Issuance of Debt [Member]	Jan. 31, 2011 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Senior Notes Due In 2014 at 1.5% [Member] Issuance of Debt [Member]	Jan. 31, 2011 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Floating Rate Senior Notes Due In 2014 [Member] Issuance of Debt [Member]	Jan. 31, 2011 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Issuance of Debt [Member]	Jan. 31, 2011 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Repayment of Debt [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Subsidiaries [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings narrative [Line Items]
Par amount of debt	$ 8,000,000,000		$ 750,000,000	$ 375,000,000	$ 375,000,000	$ 1,500,000,000
Repayment of debt		2,000,000,000					1,500,000,000
Par amount of debt	8,000,000,000		750,000,000	375,000,000	375,000,000	1,500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.25%	1.50%
Unused lines of credit available								$ 5,900,000,000