Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Dec. 31, 2021

Dec. 31, 2020

Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table]

Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block]

PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE TABLE

Year	Summary   Compensation   Table Total for   PEO ($)		Compensation   Actually Paid   to PEO ($)		Average   Summary   Compensation   Table Total for   Non-PEO   NEOs ($)		Average   Compensation   Actually Paid   to Non-PEO   NEOs ($)		Value of Initial Fixed $100   Investment Based on:				Net(3)   Earnings   (in $billions)			Company(4)   Selected   Measure
									Total(1)   Shareholder   Return ($)		Peer Group(2)   Total   Shareholder   Return ($)
2022		401,589		401,589		10,428,782		10,428,782		138.01		151.66		(22.8	)
2021		373,204		373,204		10,364,000		10,364,000		132.71		127.58		89.8
2020		380,328		380,328		10,348,188		10,348,188		102.42		106.96		42.5

(1)  Represents the cumulative total return on $100 invested in Berkshire Common Stock on December 31, 2019 as of December 31 of each year listed in the table.

(2)  It is difficult to identify a Berkshire peer group. Berkshire uses the S&P 500 Property & Casualty Index in preparing its performance graph as required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K. Accordingly that index is utilized for purposes of preparing the Pay Versus Performance Table.

(3)  Under existing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, unrealized gains and losses on equity security investments are required to be included in earnings. Accordingly, due to the large size of Berkshire’s equity investment portfolio and the volatility in equity markets there can be significant volatility in Berkshire’s periodic net earnings.

(4)  Berkshire does not use any financial performance measure in setting the compensation of its PEO (Principal Executive Officer) or for its NEOs (Non-PEO named executive officers).

Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block]

It is difficult to identify a Berkshire peer group. Berkshire uses the S&P 500 Property & Casualty Index in preparing its performance graph as required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K. Accordingly that index is utilized for purposes of preparing the Pay Versus Performance Table.

PEO Total Compensation Amount

$ 401,589

$ 373,204

$ 380,328

PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount

401,589

373,204

380,328

Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount

10,428,782

10,364,000

10,348,188

Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount

10,428,782

10,364,000

10,348,188

Total Shareholder Return Amount

138.01

132.71

102.42

Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount

151.66

127.58

106.96

Net Income (Loss)

$ (22,800,000,000)

$ 89,800,000,000

$ 42,500,000,000

PEO Name

Warren E. Buffett