Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 4,107	$ 6,458	$ 9,340	$ 11,231
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	234	2,639	(3,562)	5,230
Applicable income taxes	(151)	(938)	1,280	(1,836)
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	(104)	(2,408)	(195)	(3,449)
Applicable income taxes	36	843	68	1,207
Foreign currency translation	577	354	(783)	380
Applicable income taxes	4	(77)	(19)	(70)
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	(44)	(16)	5	(9)
Applicable income taxes	13	5	(2)	5
Other, net	25	(25)	(100)	(29)
Other comprehensive income, net	590	377	(3,308)	1,429
Comprehensive income	4,697	6,835	6,032	12,660
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	131	68	170	164
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 4,566	$ 6,767	$ 5,862	$ 12,496