Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:
Investment gains/losses	$ 1,131		$ 505
Total revenues	45,453		43,867
Costs and expenses:
Total costs and expenses	38,855		36,572
Earnings before income taxes	6,598		7,295
Income tax expense	1,825		2,278
Net earnings	4,773		5,017
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	68		125
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway	4,705		4,892
Average common shares outstanding	1,644,059	[1]	1,643,181	[1]
Class A [Member]
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders:
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 2,862	[1]	$ 2,977	[1]
Insurance and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Insurance premiums earned	9,416		9,377
Sales and service revenues	22,328		21,996
Interest, dividend and other investment income	1,155		1,010
Investment gains/losses	1,059		434
Total revenues	33,958		32,817
Costs and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses	5,590		5,144
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits	1,210		1,261
Insurance underwriting expenses	1,901		1,583
Cost of sales and services	18,137		18,019
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,888		2,814
Interest expense	98		93
Total costs and expenses	29,824		28,914
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	9,753		8,400
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	7,381		6,111
Interest expense	565		447
Total costs and expenses	7,946		6,558
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Revenues:
Sales and service revenues	1,096		1,031
Interest, dividend and other investment income	338		342
Investment gains/losses	72		71
Derivative gains/losses	236		1,206
Total revenues	1,742		2,650
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and services	589		558
Selling, general and administrative expenses	377		396
Interest expense	119		146
Total costs and expenses	$ 1,085		$ 1,100

[1] Average shares outstanding include average Class A common shares and average Class B common shares determined on an equivalent Class A common stock basis. Net earnings per common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shown above represents net earnings per equivalent Class A common share. Net earnings per Class B common share is equal to one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of such amount.