Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 9,527	$ 4,721	$ 18,867	$ 15,952
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	(8,623)	(601)	(12,185)	4,629
Applicable income taxes	2,957	174	4,237	(1,662)
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	(1,586)	417	(1,781)	(3,032)
Applicable income taxes	555	(146)	623	1,061
Foreign currency translation	(716)	(1,226)	(1,499)	(846)
Applicable income taxes	(11)	101	(30)	31
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	247	39	252	30
Applicable income taxes	(85)	(7)	(87)	(2)
Other, net	(4)	2	(104)	(27)
Other comprehensive income, net	(7,266)	(1,247)	(10,574)	182
Comprehensive income	2,261	3,474	8,293	16,134
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	47	92	217	256
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 2,214	$ 3,382	$ 8,076	$ 15,878