Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Parenthetical) - Class B [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015 $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2014 $ / shares
Ratio of earnings per Class B share to earnings per Class A share	0.000667
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 9.76	$ 9.77	$ 8.06