Condensed Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Detail) € in Millions, £ in Millions, $ in Millions, ¥ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2019 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2019 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Assets:
Total assets	$ 817,729				$ 707,794	$ 702,095
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Income taxes, principally deferred	66,799				51,375
Notes payable and other borrowings		¥ 430	£ 1,750	€ 6,850
Total liabilities	389,166				355,294
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity	424,791				348,703
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	817,729				707,794
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	15,004				3,437	$ 4,039	$ 3,221
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills	25,514				22,957
Investments in and advances to/from consolidated subsidiaries	392,162				328,898
Investment in The Kraft Heinz Company	13,757				13,813
Other assets	131				80
Total assets	446,568				369,185
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities	320				1,507
Income taxes, principally deferred	1,554				2,104
Notes payable and other borrowings	19,903				16,871
Total liabilities	21,777				20,482
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity	424,791				348,703
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 446,568				$ 369,185