Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 5,657	$ 5,233
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	(2,691)	(3,796)
Applicable income taxes	899	1,431
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	(1,807)	(91)
Applicable income taxes	632	32
Foreign currency translation	493	(1,360)
Applicable income taxes	(30)	(23)
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	4	49
Applicable income taxes		(15)
Other, net	(22)	(125)
Other comprehensive income, net	(2,522)	(3,898)
Comprehensive income	3,135	1,335
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	74	39
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 3,061	$ 1,296