Condensed Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Detail) £ in Millions, $ in Millions, € in Billions, ¥ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2021 JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2021 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Assets:
Total assets	$ 958,784				$ 873,729	$ 817,729
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Income taxes, principally deferred	90,243				74,098
Notes payable and other borrowings		€ 6.9	¥ 785.5	£ 1,750
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity	506,199				443,164
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	958,784				873,729
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	18,797				12,329	$ 15,004	$ 3,437
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills	9,681				29,773
Investments in and advances to/from consolidated subsidiaries	486,862				411,826
Investment in The Kraft Heinz Company	13,112				13,336
Other assets	140				108
Total assets	528,592				467,372
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities	237				369
Income taxes, principally deferred	747				1,174
Notes payable and other borrowings	21,409				22,665
Total liabilities	22,393				24,208
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity	506,199				443,164
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 528,592				$ 467,372