Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 4,355	$ 5,082	$ 8,494	$ 10,739
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	4,711	(271)	13,088	(2,962)
Applicable income taxes	(1,659)	94	(4,531)	993
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	(284)	(9)	(589)	(1,816)
Applicable income taxes	99	4	206	636
Foreign currency translation	798	(607)	1,356	(114)
Applicable income taxes	(23)	44	(92)	14
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	(44)	51	(54)	55
Applicable income taxes	18	(19)	25	(19)
Other, net	3	16	6	(6)
Other comprehensive income, net	3,619	(697)	9,415	(3,219)
Comprehensive income	7,974	4,385	17,909	7,520
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	130	61	233	135
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 7,844	$ 4,324	$ 17,676	$ 7,385