Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions		Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017
ASSETS
Investments in fixed maturity securities		$ 19,898		$ 21,353
Investments in equity securities		172,757	[1]	170,540	[2]
Loans and finance receivables		16,280		13,748
Inventories		19,069		17,366
Goodwill		81,025		81,258
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts		14,104		15,278
Total assets		707,794		702,095
LIABILITIES
Income taxes, principally deferred		51,375		56,607
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		68,458		61,122
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts		41,834		42,937
Total liabilities		355,294		350,141
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock		8		8
Capital in excess of par value		35,707		35,694
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(5,015)		58,571
Retained earnings		321,112		255,786
Treasury stock, at cost		(3,109)		(1,763)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity		348,703		348,296
Noncontrolling interests		3,797		3,658
Total shareholders' equity		352,500		351,954
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		707,794		702,095
Insurance and Other [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	[3]	27,749		28,673
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills		81,506		84,371
Investments in fixed maturity securities		19,898		21,353
Investments in equity securities		172,757		170,540
Equity method investments		17,325		21,024
Loans and finance receivables		16,280		13,748
Other receivables		31,564		29,392
Inventories		19,069		17,366
Property, plant and equipment		20,628		19,868
Equipment held for lease		14,298		10,167
Goodwill		56,323		56,478
Other intangible assets		31,499		32,518
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts		14,104		15,278
Other		9,307		9,391
Total assets		532,307		530,167
LIABILITIES
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		68,458		61,122
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts		41,834		42,937
Unearned premiums		18,093		16,040
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		18,632		17,608
Other policyholder liabilities		7,675		7,654
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		25,776		24,569
Derivative contract liabilities		2,452		2,172
Aircraft repurchase liabilities and unearned lease revenues		4,593
Notes payable and other borrowings		34,975		40,409
Total liabilities		222,488		212,511
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	[3]	2,612		2,910
Receivables		3,666		3,531
Property, plant and equipment		131,780		128,184
Goodwill		24,702		24,780
Regulatory assets		3,067		2,950
Other		9,660		9,573
Total assets		175,487		171,928
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		11,410		11,334
Regulatory liabilities		7,506		7,511
Notes payable and other borrowings		62,515		62,178
Total liabilities		$ 81,431		$ 81,023

[1] Approximately 68% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in five companies (American Express Company - $14.5 billion; Apple Inc. - $40.3 billion; Bank of America Corporation - $22.6 billion; The Coca-Cola Company - $18.9 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $20.7 billion).

[2] Approximately 65% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in five companies (American Express Company - $15.1 billion; Apple Inc. - $28.2 billion; Bank of America Corporation - $20.7 billion; The Coca-Cola Company - $18.4 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $29.3 billion).

[3] Cash and cash equivalents includes U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities of three months or less when purchased of $3.9 billion at December 31, 2018 and $5.7 billion at December 31, 2017.