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Notes payable and other borrowings (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
BNSF [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
BNSF [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
BNSF [Member]
Debt [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]
Debt [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance and Other [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance and Other [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]
Debt [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]
Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance and Other [Member]
Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]
Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]
Debt [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]                                                      
Maturity date, range, start         2014     2014     2017         2014     2014         2014     2014
Maturity date, range, end         2054     2097     2043         2047     2035         2043     2036
Short-term debt, weighted average interest rate                                 0.40%                    
Senior unsecured debt                 $ 6,366 $ 6,616                                  
Weighted average interest rate, percentage     5.20%     5.10%     5.70%         2.70%     6.00%         3.30%     4.70%    
Notes payable and other borrowings 48,840 46,655 24,593 23,033   17,881 17,006         12,410 12,440 8,357 8,311         12,837 13,129 11,178 11,178   1,659 1,951  
Short-term borrowings                                 890 949                  
Other borrowings                                 $ 3,163 $ 3,180