Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 24,427	$ 24,414	$ 20,170
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	13,858	(8,520)	5,831
Applicable income taxes	(4,846)	3,014	(2,062)
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	(6,820)	(2,332)	(3,360)
Applicable income taxes	2,387	816	1,176
Foreign currency translation	(1,541)	(1,931)	(2,032)
Applicable income taxes	66	(43)	183
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	354	424	(1,703)
Applicable income taxes	(187)	(140)	624
Other, net	(17)	(94)	8
Other comprehensive income, net	3,254	(8,806)	(1,335)
Comprehensive income	27,681	15,608	18,835
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	291	275	256
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 27,390	$ 15,333	$ 18,579