Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues:
Investment gains/losses	$ 2,366		$ 492		$ 3,497		$ 997
Total revenues	49,762		44,693		95,215		88,560
Costs and expenses:
Total costs and expenses	40,846		37,802		79,701		74,374
Earnings before income taxes	8,916		6,891		15,514		14,186
Income tax expense	2,458		2,279		4,283		4,557
Net earnings	6,458		4,612		11,231		9,629
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	63		71		131		196
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway	6,395		4,541		11,100		9,433
Average common shares outstanding	1,644,370	[1]	1,643,599	[1]	1,644,215	[1]	1,643,391	[1]
Class A [Member]
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders:
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 3,889	[1]	$ 2,763	[1]	$ 6,751	[1]	$ 5,740	[1]
Insurance and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Insurance premiums earned	9,323		8,815		18,739		18,192
Sales and service revenues	24,846		23,412		47,174		45,408
Interest, dividend and other investment income	1,583		1,608		2,738		2,618
Investment gains/losses	2,366		455		3,425		889
Total revenues	38,118		34,290		72,076		67,107
Costs and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses	5,542		5,269		11,132		10,413
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits	1,279		1,063		2,489		2,324
Insurance underwriting expenses	1,864		1,657		3,765		3,240
Cost of sales and services	20,063		19,095		38,200		37,114
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,966		2,878		5,854		5,692
Interest expense	116		98		214		191
Total costs and expenses	31,830		30,060		61,654		58,974
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	9,846		8,378		19,599		16,778
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	7,193		6,094		14,574		12,205
Interest expense	591		452		1,156		899
Total costs and expenses	7,784		6,546		15,730		13,104
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Revenues:
Sales and service revenues	1,314		1,183		2,410		2,214
Interest, dividend and other investment income	329		344		667		686
Investment gains/losses			37		72		108
Derivative gains/losses	155		461		391		1,667
Total revenues	1,798		2,025		3,540		4,675
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and services	692		648		1,281		1,206
Selling, general and administrative expenses	423		407		800		803
Interest expense	117		141		236		287
Total costs and expenses	$ 1,232		$ 1,196		$ 2,317		$ 2,296

[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.