v3.25.4
Condensed Financial Information - Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire shareholders $ 66,968 $ 88,995 $ 96,223
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:      
Changes in income tax liabilities 1,000 (8,163) 14,865
Other 3,239 (892) (513)
Net cash flows from operating activities 45,969 30,592 49,196
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Net cash flows from investing activities (44,487) (10,287) (32,663)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Acquisitions of treasury stock   (2,918) (9,171)
Other (793) (5,622) (4,147)
Net cash flows from financing activities 2,233 (10,360) (14,405)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 4,193 9,733 2,244
Other cash flow information:      
Income taxes paid 13,978 28,544 7,765
Class B common stock issued in exchange for noncontrolling interests   1,045  
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member]      
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire shareholders 66,968 88,995 96,223
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:      
Undistributed earnings of consolidated subsidiaries (24,143) (14,314) (85,550)
Non-cash dividends from subsidiaries (30,479) (58,339) (1,811)
Changes in income tax liabilities (1,311) 294 (44)
Other [1] 1,582 (2,666) (1,207)
Net cash flows from operating activities 12,617 13,970 7,611
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Investments in and advances to consolidated subsidiaries, net (1,870) (1,332) 2,649
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills (170,445) (52,864) (27,278)
Maturities and sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and other 166,935 40,244 31,234
Net cash flows from investing activities (5,380) (13,952) 6,605
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from borrowings 2,972 5,525 2,054
Repayments of borrowings (1,919) (1,854) (4,310)
Acquisitions of treasury stock   (2,918) (9,171)
Net cash flows from financing activities 1,053 753 (11,427)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 8,290 771 2,789
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 6,337 5,566 2,777
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 14,627 6,337 5,566
Other cash flow information:      
Income taxes paid 11,665 26,455 5,630
Interest paid $ 321 318 $ 297
Class B common stock issued in exchange for noncontrolling interests   $ 1,045  
[1] Includes discount accretion on investments, foreign currency exchange (gains) losses and equity method (earnings) losses of The Kraft Heinz Company.