Condensed Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 71,730	$ 63,269	$ 48,186	$ 46,992
Total assets	552,257	525,867	484,624
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Income taxes, principally deferred	63,126	61,235
Total liabilities	293,630	282,840
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity	255,550	240,170
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	552,257	525,867
Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	10,609	9,449	$ 3,412	$ 10,557
Investments in fixed maturity and equity securities	112	152
Investments in and advances to/from consolidated subsidiaries	233,977	227,615
Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company	23,424	11,660
Other assets	1	51
Total assets	268,123	248,927
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities	111	100
Income taxes, principally deferred	2,663	343
Notes payable and other borrowings	9,799	8,314
Total liabilities	12,573	8,757
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity	255,550	240,170
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 268,123	$ 248,927