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Disclosure - Other receivables (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996195 - Disclosure - Other receivables - Narrative (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996205 - Disclosure - Inventories (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996215 - Disclosure - Inventories - Narrative (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996225 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996235 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment - Depreciation expense (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996245 - Disclosure - Equipment held for lease (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996255 - Disclosure - Equipment held for lease - Narrative (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996265 - Disclosure - Equipment held for lease - 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Disclosure - Goodwill and other intangible assets - Goodwill (Parenthetical) (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996345 - Disclosure - Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996355 - Disclosure - Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets - Narrative (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996365 - Disclosure - Supplemental cash flow information - Narrative (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996375 - Disclosure - Supplemental cash flow information (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996385 - Disclosure - Insurance subsidiaries Disclosure - Narrative (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996395 - Disclosure - Insurance subsidiary disclosures - Insurance premiums by type (Detail) link:presentationLink link:calculationLink link:definitionLink 996405 - 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Number of acres burned Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block] Schedule of supplemental cash flow information Fuel Costs Fuel The percentage of available-for-sale debt securities portfolio as of the reporting date having a specified credit rating. Percentage Of Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities By Credit Rating Percentage of fixed maturity investments by credit rating PGE Entities [Member] PGE entities. PGE Entities [Member] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type Segments [Domain] Segments Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Foreign Foreign Financing Receivables [Text Block] Loans and finance receivables Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff, Total Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff Charge-offs, net of recoveries Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year [Axis] Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year Financing Receivable, Year Three, Originated, Two Years before Current Fiscal Year Loans and financing receivables by origination year, 2023 Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred Stock, shares issued Statement of Financial Position Location, Balance [Domain] Balance Sheet Location Occidental Petroleum Corporation. Occidental Petroleum Corporation [Member] Occidental Petroleum Corporation [Member] Occidental [Member] Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Current Year Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid, current accident year Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer Employer contributions Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Amount [Abstract] U.S. federal income tax credits: Percentage of LIFO Inventory Percentage of LIFO Inventory Antitrust Cases [Member] Antitrust cases. Revision of Prior Period [Axis] Equity [Abstract] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Loss contingency, sought amount Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] Level 2 [Member] Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance Deferred income tax assets Deferred income tax assets Summary of changes in discounted present values of expected future policy benefits and expected future net premiums Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Activity [Table Text Block] Contingencies and commitments Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common Stock, shares authorized Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Four Estimated amortization expense - 2029 Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses Total Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred Losses and LAE Losses and LAE incurred Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Investments in fixed maturity and equity securities Liability For Future Policy Benefit Expected Future Policy Benefit Current Period Increase Decrease From Cash Flow Assumption Change Amount of current period increase (decrease) in expected future policy benefit and expense component for liability of future policy benefit from cash flow assumption change for future cash flows. Effects of cash flow assumption changes Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service Fair Value by Liability Class [Domain] Fair Value by Liability Class Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, after Year Five for Next Five Years 2031 - 2035 Property, Plant, and Equipment, Lessor Asset under Operating Lease, Accumulated Depreciation Equipment held for lease, accumulated depreciation Accounting Standards Update 2023-09 [Member] ASU 2023-09 [Member] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, before Tax Defined benefit pension plans Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, before Tax, Total Equity Method Investments and Other Assets Equity method investments and other assets. Investment in Kraft Heinz and other assets Service [Member] Service [Member] Schedule of Gain (Loss) on Securities [Table] Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and Cash Equivalent Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Property, Plant, and Equipment, Lessor Asset under Operating Lease [Line Items] Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items] Balance at the end of the year Balance at the beginning of the year Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation Projected benefit obligation Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Table] Shortduration Insurance Contracts Reconciliation Of Claims Development To Liability [Table] Property, Plant, and Equipment, Lessor Asset under Operating Lease, after Accumulated Depreciation Equipment held for lease Equipment held for lease, net Represents Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation [Member] BNSF [Member] BNSF [Member] Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Two 2027 Receivable Type [Axis] Receivable Type Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, and Governance [Abstract] Common Stock, Shares, Issued Shares issued, ending balance Shares issued, beginning balance Cybersecurity Risk Management Positions or Committees Responsible Report to Board [Flag] Cybersecurity Risk Board of Directors Oversight [Text Block] Short-Duration Insurance Contract, Accident Year 2021 [Member] 2021 [Member] Amount of cash inflow from sale of investments in U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities greater than three months recorded at amortized cost and debt securities measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). Proceeds From Sale Of U S Treasury Bills and Available For Sale Securities Debt Sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities Asset Class [Domain] Asset Class 2022 Wildfire [Member] Two Thousand Twenty Two Wildfire [Member] Two Thousand Twenty Two Wildfire. Equity securities FV-NI, term. Equity Securities F V N I Term Unobservable inputs, term Statement [Table] Statement [Table] All Other [Member] Represents all other geographic areas. All Other Geographic Areas [Member] Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets Two forty two fire. 242 Fire [Member] Discounted expected future gross premiums Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Gross Premium, Discounted, before Reinsurance Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Receivables and originated loans Increase (Decrease) in Receivables, Total Guarantor Obligations, Nature [Domain] Guarantor Obligations, Nature Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Business acquisition, cash consideration Remaining noncontrolling interests acquired Business Combination, Achieved in Stages, Preacquisition Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement, Gain, Statement of Income or Comprehensive Income [Extensible Enumeration] Financing Receivable, Year Five, Originated, Four Years before Current Fiscal Year Loans and financing receivables by origination year, 2021 Auto liability insurance. Auto Liability Insurance [Member] Auto Liability [Member] Auto Liability [Member] The number of shares obtainable from converting one share from one class to another share in another class. Number Of Shares Obtainable From Converting One Share From One Class To Another Class Number of shares of Class B stock obtainable from converting one Class A share Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Acquisitions of common stock Business Combination [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Percent of loan balances that are current as to payment status. Percent Of Loan Balances With Payment Status Current Percent of loan balances considered to be current as to payment status Aggregated carrying value Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Reclassifications into net earnings Excess of Replacement or Current Costs over Stated LIFO Value Excess of current or replacement costs over costs determined under LIFO Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Three Debt maturities: 2028 Principal payments on debt - 2028 Sum of the carrying amounts of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill Net carrying value Industry Sector [Axis] Industry Sector Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] Long-Lived Tangible Asset Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year 10 Average annual percentage payout of losses incurred, net of reinsurance, year ten Liability for Asbestos and Environmental Claims, Net Liabilities for environmental, asbestos and latent injury exposures Liabilities for environmental, asbestos and latent injury claims Liability for Asbestos and Environmental Claims, Net, Beginning Balance Liability for Asbestos and Environmental Claims, Net, Ending Balance Cybersecurity Risk Third Party Oversight and Identification Processes [Flag] Proceeds from Issuance of Debt Proceeds from borrowings Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Reserve Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses Liability for future policy benefits at December 31, net of reinsurance recoverables Liability for Future Policy Benefit, after Reinsurance Non-Economic Damages [Member] Non-economic damages. Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Foreign currency effect Foreign currency effect Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent U.S. federal income tax at the statutory tax rate, percentage Liquidation value of preferred shares. Preferred Stock Investment Liquidation Value Investment in preferred stock, liquidation value Year the debt matures, in CCYY format. Debt Instrument Maturity Year Debt maturity year Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Fee and Loan in Process Loans and finance receivables before allowances and discounts Loans and financing receivables by origination year, Total Aggregated carrying value Cybersecurity Risk Management Third Party Engaged [Flag] Documents Incorporated by Reference [Text Block] Documents Incorporated by Reference Balance at the end of the year Balance at the beginning of the year Goodwill Goodwill Goodwill at year-end Goodwill, Total Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other Noncash Income (Expense), Total Other Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Effective income tax rate percentage Effective income tax rate percentage Business Combination, Achieved in Stages, Preacquisition Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement, Gain (Loss), Statement of Income or Comprehensive Income [Extensible Enumeration] Number of Shares Exchanged to Acquire Noncontrolling Interest Number of shares exchanged to acquire noncontrolling interest. Number of shares exchanged Summary of carrying value and fair value of investments. Summary of Carrying Value and Fair Value of Investments [Table Text Block] Summary of carrying value and fair value of investments Geographical [Domain] Geographical Number of named plaintiffs Loss Contingency, Number of Plaintiffs Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Energy-Related, Amount Energy production tax credits, amount The principal amount of new debt issued during the period, excluding premium or discount, if any. Debt Issued During Period Principal amount of debt issued Deferred tax liabilities property plant and equipment, equipment held for lease. Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment Equipment Held For Lease Property, plant and equipment and equipment held for lease Represents the Railroad reporting business unit. Railroad [Member] Railroad [Member] James Case Multnomah County Circuit Court Mass Complaints [Member] James case multnomah county circuit court mass complaints. Capital expenditures Segment, Expenditure, Addition to Long-Lived Assets Equity interest ownership percentage Business Combination, Achieved in Stages, Preacquisition Equity Interest in Acquiree, Percentage Ownership interest Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Schedule of inventories Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Capital in excess of par value Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period Interest rate during period Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Benefits Paid Benefits paid Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling after One Through Five Years, Amortized Cost Due after one year through five years - amortized cost Great Britain Pound Denominated [Member] United Kingdom, Pounds United Kingdom, Pounds Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Nonperforming Financial Instruments [Member] Non-Performing [Member] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program Currency [Axis] Currency Common stock repurchase program approved by Berkshire's Board of Directors. Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member] Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member] Guarantor Obligations, Nature [Axis] Guarantor Obligations, Nature Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block] Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of U S Treasury Bills and Other Investing Activities Proceeds from sale and maturity of U S Treasury Bills and other investing activities. Maturities and sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and other Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation Of Revenue [Table] Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, and Governance [Table] Equity Securities [Member] Equity Securities [Member] Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] Trademarks and trade names [Member] Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Amount [Abstract] U.S. federal nontaxable or nondeductible items: Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block] Schedule of amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities Earnings Per Share, Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Net earnings per average equivalent Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by reportable segment and source of revenue Repayments of Long-Term Debt Repayments of borrowings Repayments of Long-Term Debt, Total Other Defined Benefit Plan, Other Cost (Credit) Retirement Benefits [Text Block] Pension plans Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Discount rate applicable to PBOs Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, before Tax Amount included in net periodic pension expense Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, before Tax, Total Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments and Contingencies. PTC [Member] Represents Pilot Travel Centers LLC, d/b/a Pilot Flying J. Pilot Travel Centers LLC [Member] Pilot [Member] Commitments and Contingencies [Table] Commitments and Contingencies. Operating Lease, Lease Income Leasing revenues Total Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type Finite lived and and indefinite-lived intangible assets by major class. Finite Lived And And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Axis] Finite Lived And And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class Sales of equity securities Proceeds from Sale of Equity Securities, FV-NI Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows: Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows: Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five Year 5 Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claim Adjustment Expense Retroactive Reinsurance Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for retroactive reinsurance contracts. Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses - retroactive reinsurance Income Tax Paid, Federal, after Refund Received Income Tax Paid, Federal, after Refund Received, Total U.S. federal Payable for purchase of U.S. Treasury Bills and other liabilities Payable for Purchase of U.S. Treasury Bills and Other Liabilities Payable for purchase of U.S. Treasury Bills and other liabilities. Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves Finished manufactured goods Subsegments [Axis] Subsegments Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Year Two Purchase commitments - 2027 Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Share Repurchase Program Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Percent [Abstract] U.S. federal income tax credits percentage Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Other, Amount Other, amount Parent Company [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract] Components of net periodic pension expense Accounting Standards Update [Axis] Accounting Standards Update Ending balance at original discount rate Ending balance at original discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Original Discount Rate, before Reinsurance, after Cash Flow Change Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Original Discount Rate, before Reinsurance, after Cash Flow Change, Beginning Balance Represents Western Europe geographic area. Western Europe [Member] Western Europe [Member] Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item, Excluding Corporate Nonsegment [Member] Segment Reconciling Items [Member] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items The entire disclosure of leases. Leases [Text Block] Leases Entity Small Business Entity Small Business External Credit Rating by Grouping [Axis] External Credit Rating by Grouping Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Funded status - net (asset) liability Defined Benefit Plan, Funded (Unfunded) Status of Plan Funded status – net (asset) liability Net funded status - asset (liability) Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Investments Other The number of investee companies included in a concentration percentage. Investment Concentration Number Of Companies Number of holdings in concentration percentage Property Available for Operating Lease [Member] Equipment held for lease [Member] Industry Sector [Domain] Industry Sector Purchases of equity securities Payments to Acquire Equity Securities, FV-NI Preferred Stock [Member] Preferred Stock [Member] Represents McLane Company. Mc Lane Company [Member] McLane [Member] Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] Geographic Concentration [Member] Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments, Total Amount available for payment of dividends without prior regulatory approval during 2026 Expense incurred for underwriting activities related to insurance policies, including the amortization of deferred premium acquisition costs. Insurance underwriting expenses Insurance underwriting expenses Represents retroactive reinsurance. Retroactive Reinsurance [Member] Retroactive Reinsurance [Member] Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance Product Line [Member] Property/Casualty [Member] Allowance for Credit Loss [Abstract] Echo Mountain Complex Fire [Member] Echo mountain complex fire. Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Long-duration insurance contract discount rate changes OCI, Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification Adjustment and Tax Leases [Abstract] Common Class A [Member] Common Class A [Member] Class A [Member] James Case, Multnomah County Circuit Court, Oregon, Not Represented By James Lead Counsel [Member] James Case, multnomah county circuit court, oregon, not represented by james lead counsel. Catastrophic Event [Axis] Catastrophic Event Amendment Flag Amendment Flag OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss), before Adjustment and Tax Unrealized gains (losses) on investments Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service Number of insurance segment activities Number of Insurance Segment Activities Number of insurance segment activities Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Seven Average annual percentage payout of losses incurred, net of reinsurance, year seven Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Amount Hypothetical income tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. federal statutory rate U.S. federal income tax at the statutory tax rate, amount Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Table Text Block] Schedule of reconciliation of unpaid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses to balance sheet liability Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights Number of common shares that can be purchased Effects of actual versus expected experience Liability For Future Policy Benefit Expected Net Premium Increase Decrease Effect Of Actual Versus Expected Experience Liability for future policy benefit expected net premium increase decrease effect of actual from expected experience. Amount including accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) of interest income and dividend income on securities and investments. Investment Income Interest Dividend and Other Interest, dividend and other investment income Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities: Liabilities and Shareholders' equity: Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Accounts Receivable [Policy Text Block] Other receivables Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Net cash flows from operating activities Reflects a concentration of investments at fair value as a percentage of a specified benchmark. Investment Concentration Risk [Member] Investment Concentration [Member] Liquidation value of mandatory redemption notifications Preferred Stock, Investment, Mandatory Redemption Amount, Liquidation Value Amount of liquidation value of preferred shares whereby redemptions notifications were received. Value of Shares Exchanged to Acquire Noncontrolling Interest Value of shares exchanged to acquire noncontrolling interest. Value of shares exchanged Common Stock [Member] Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation ABO Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Table] New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Table] Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net, Total Life, annuity and health benefits Life, annuity and health insurance benefits Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Charges Retroactive Reinsurance Deferred tax liabilities deferred charges retroactive reinsurance. Deferred charges retroactive reinsurance Cybersecurity Risk Role of Management [Text Block] Represents Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group. Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group [Member] BH Primary [Member] BH Primary [Member] Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan Balances included in other assets Balances included in other assets Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three Year 3 Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Surety Bond [Member] Represents Insurance, corporate and other. Insurance Corporate And Other [Member] Insurance, Corporate and Other [Member] Percentage Of Outstanding Common Stock Repurchased Percentage of outstanding common stock that has been repurchased and retired during the period. Percentage of outstanding common stock repurchased Investment sector consisting of banks, insurance and finance. Banks Insurance And Finance [Member] Banks, insurance and finance [Member] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Fair Value Disclosure Item Amounts [Default] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] [Default] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Deferred income tax liabilities Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share: Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Income taxes Amount of U.S. Treasury Bills issued by the United States Department of the Treasury which have maturities that are more than three months from the date of purchases. U S Treasury Bills Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills Cove Point LNG LP [Member] Cove Point LNG LP Member Cove Point LNG LP Member. Loss Contingency Accrual Loss Contingency Accrual, Ending Balance Loss Contingency Accrual, Beginning Balance Unpaid estimated liability Aggregate amount of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised service to customer and other income. Service revenues and other income Service revenues and other income Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block] Foreign currency Goodwill and other intangible assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Ending balance at original discount rate Ending balance at original discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Benefit, Original Discount Rate, before Reinsurance, after Cash Flow Change Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Benefit, Original Discount Rate, before Reinsurance, after Cash Flow Change, Beginning Balance Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Four 2029 Statement of Financial Position Location, Balance [Axis] Balance Sheet Location Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year [Domain] Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type Carrying amount, net of reserves and adjustments, as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or goods which are partially completed and other inventory. Inventory Work In Process And Other Inventory Net Of Reserves Work in process and other Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Operating leases, right of use assets Right-of-use assets Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Domain] Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category American Express Company [Member] Represents American Express Company. American Express Company [Member] Cybersecurity Risk Board Committee or Subcommittee Responsible for Oversight [Text Block] Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Income taxes Changes in income tax liabilities Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total PacifiCorp [Member] PacifiCorp Member PacifiCorp Member Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] Utility and energy operating revenues Utility and Energy Operating Revenues Utility and energy operating revenues. Net Loss Contingency Accrual Amount charged, net of amounts receivable, against operating income increasing loss contingency liability, after adjustments to reduce previously estimated charges. Net loss contingency accrual The cash inflow associated with redemption or maturity of investments in U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities greater than three months recorded at amortized cost and debt securities measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). Proceeds from Redemptions and Maturities of U S Treasury Bills and Available for Sale Securities Debt Redemptions and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities Document Type Document Type Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Goodwill and other intangible assets Income Taxes Paid, Net Cash paid during the period for income taxes Income taxes paid Total income taxes paid The remaining unamortized excess of the estimated ultimate liability for claims and claim costs over the premiums earned with respect to retroactive property/casualty reinsurance contracts. Unamortized Deferred Charges On Reinsurance Assumed Deferred charges - retroactive reinsurance Deferred charges retroactive reinsurance, end of year Deferred charges retroactive reinsurance, beginning of year Unamortized deferred charges of retroactive reinsurance contracts M two point three seven five senior notes due two thousand thirty nine. M Two Point Three Seven Five Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Nine [Member] M 2.375 Senior Notes Due 2039 [Member] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale [Table Text Block] Schedule of investments in securities with fixed maturities Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] Cybersecurity Risk Process for Informing Board Committee or Subcommittee Responsible for Oversight [Text Block] Real Estate Operating Costs and Expenses Real estate operating costs and expenses. Represents subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member] Valuation Approach and Technique [Axis] Valuation Approach and Technique Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation Increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts [Table] Amount of employer contributions to a defined contribution plan. Defined Contribution Plan Employer Contribution Amount Contributions to defined contribution plans Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock, par value per share United States of America, Dollars U.S. Dollar Denominated [Member] Accounting Standards Update [Domain] Accounting Standards Update [Domain] Other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent, Total Other comprehensive income Other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire shareholders Valuation technique, warrant pricing model. Valuation Technique Warrant Pricing Model [Member] Warrant Pricing Model [Member] Income tax liabilities with federal taxing authority settled through year. Income Tax Liabilities With Federal Taxing Authority Settled Through Year Income tax liabilities with federal taxing authority settled through year Direct Premiums Earned Premiums earned - Direct Represents the manufacturing businesses reportable segment. Manufacturing Businesses [Member] Manufacturing Businesses [Member] Manufacturing [Member] Liabilities [Abstract] LIABILITIES Liabilities: Public Utilities, Policy [Policy Text Block] Regulated utilities and energy businesses Common Stock Issued in Exchange for Noncontrolling Interests Common stock issued in exchange for noncontrolling interests. Class B common stock issued in exchange for noncontrolling interests Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed, Total Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities, Total Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale Investments in fixed maturity securities Fair value of fixed maturity securities Fair value of fixed maturity securities Earnings before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Amount of accumulated unrealized gain (loss) on investments in equity securities. Equity Securities Accumulated Unrealized Gain Loss Net Unrealized Gains Euro Member Countries, Euro Euro Denominated [Member] Pipelines [Member] Interstate natural gas pipeline assets [Member] Document Financial Statement Error Correction [Flag] Investment sector consisting of commercial, industrial and other. Commercial Industrial And Other [Member] Commercial, industrial and other [Member] OxyChem [Member] OxyChem. Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net IBNR and Case Development Liabilities Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Foreign currency translation [Member] State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Total U.S. state Transportation Equipment [Member] Equipment held for lease [Member] Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] This item represents unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for retroactive reinsurance contracts. Unpaid Losses And Loss Adjustment Expenses [Member] Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses [Member] Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Fair Value [Member] Foreign currency effect Liability For Future Policy Benefit Expected Future Policy Benefit Foreign Currency Effect Amount of current period increase (decrease) in expected future policy benefit and expense component of liability for future policy benefit from foreign currency effects. Financial Instrument Performance Status [Domain] Financial Instrument Performance Status Legal settlements amount paid Payments for Legal Settlements Represents Class A shares outstanding plus one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of Class B shares outstanding. Equivalent Class A [Member] Equivalent Class A [Member] Ownership [Domain] Ownership Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Increase (Decrease) for Actual Return (Loss) Actual return on plan assets Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument [Table] Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, after Year Five Purchase commitments - thereafter Assumed Premiums Earned Premiums earned - Assumed Ceded Premiums Earned Premiums earned - Ceded Receivables [Abstract] Litigation Case [Domain] Sales and service revenue. Sales and service revenues Sales and service revenues Customer Relationships [Member] Customer relationships [Member] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity Excess of equity method carrying value Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity Unused and available lines of credit Tabular disclosure of insurance premiums written by geographic region. Schedule of insurance premiums written by geographic region Schedule Of Insurance Premiums Written By Geographic Region [Table Text Block] Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-Term Debt Changes in short term borrowings, net Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-Term Debt, Total Financial Instrument Performance Status [Axis] Financial Instrument Performance Status Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name Investment owned, common shares outstanding Investment Owned, Balance, Shares Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire shareholders Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, Tax Applicable income taxes Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, Tax, Total From Consolidated Subsidiaries [Abstract] From Consolidated Subsidiaries [Abstract] From consolidated subsidiaries: Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions [Table Text Block] Schedule of weighted average assumptions Geographical [Axis] Geographical Fair Value, Asset, Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Gain (Loss), Statement of Income or Comprehensive Income [Extensible Enumeration] Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock Conversions of Class A to Class B common stock General Partner [Member] General Partner [Member] Costs And Expenses Income Tax Expense Total costs of sales, operating expenses and income tax expense for the period. Total costs and expenses Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Amount State and local income taxes, net of U.S. federal effect, amount Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income: Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Other, Amount Other,amount Leases. Leases Leases [Policy Text Block] Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Schedule of deferred income tax assets and liabilities Represents Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC. Berkadia Commercial Mortgage [Member] Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC [Member] Berkadia [Member] Interest and Other Income Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule of liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expense Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive income: Reinsurance Recoverables, Gross Reinsurance recoverables Reinsurance Recoverables, Gross, Total Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Member] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee [Domain] Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee Track structure and other roadway [Member] Represents capitalized costs related to railroad track structure and other capitalizable roadway costs. Track Structure And Other Roadway [Member] Weighted average accretion rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Weighted-Average Interest Accretion Rate Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2016 [Member] 2016 [Member] Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Table] Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis Valuation Techniques [Table] Measurement Input, Expected Term [Member] Measurement Input, Expected Term Unsecured Debt Senior unsecured debt Unsecured Debt, Total Beachie creek fire. Beachie Creek Fire [Member] Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date for a) repurchase liabilities for fractional ownership interests in aircraft, and b) lease revenues received, but not recognized for financial reporting purposes, net of the accumulated amortization of such amounts that to date have been recognized in revenue. Aircraft Repurchase Liabilities And Deferred Revenue Leases Net Aircraft repurchase liabilities and unearned lease revenues Represents subsidiaries excluding Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation. Subsidiaries Excluding Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Subsidiaries Excluding Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Income Tax Paid, Foreign, after Refund Received Income Tax Paid, Foreign, after Refund Received, Total Foreign Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company Acquisition [Member[ Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company acquisition. BHE [Member] Other Commitments [Domain] Other Commitments AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name Treasury shares, ending balance Treasury shares, beginning balance Treasury Stock, Common, Shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Treasury Stock Reissued Treasury stock issued Land, Building, improvements and other [Member] Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member] Land, buildings and improvements [Member] Unsecured Debt [Member] Senior Unsecured Debenture [Member] Deferred Tax Assets, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities Regulatory liabilities Regulatory liabilities Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Total Consideration paid Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Total Summary of Income Taxes Paid [Table Text Block] Summary of income taxes paid. Summary of income taxes paid Defined Benefit Plan, Equity Securities [Member] Equity Securities [Member] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, without Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Amortized cost of mortgage-backed securities Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Financial Instrument [Axis] Financial Instrument Financing Receivable, Year Two, Originated, Fiscal Year before Current Fiscal Year Loans and financing receivables by origination year, 2024 Schedule of supplemental cash flow information. Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Table] Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Table] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Five Average annual percentage payout of losses incurred, net of reinsurance, year five Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block] Summarized unaudited financial information Represents property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, excluding retroactive reinsurance. Property And Casualty Insurance And Reinsurance Excluding Retroactive Reinsurance [Member] Property and Casualty Insurance and Reinsurance, Excluding Retroactive Reinsurance [Member] Amortization of Intangible Assets Intangible asset amortization expense Common Class B [Member] Class B [Member] Class B Common Stock [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] Level 3 [Member] Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Income tax expense: Segment Reporting [Abstract] Business Combination, Recognized Asset Acquired, Asset Assets acquired Assets acquired Acquired assets Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis Credit rating at or above AA. A A Or Higher Credit Rating [Member] AA or Higher Credit Rating [Member] Minimum losses per event each accident year. Minimum Losses Per Event Each Accident Year Minimum losses per event each accident year Other Investment. Other Investment [Member] Other [Member] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling after 10 Years, Amortized Cost Due after ten years - amortized cost Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net, Not Separately Presented Net unpaid losses and ALAE for accident years before earliest accident year presented Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Maturity [Table Text Block] Summary of remaining operating lease receipts Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities Accrued liabilities Manufactured industrial and commercial products. Manufactured Industrial And Commercial Products [Member] Industrial and Commercial [Member] Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Year Three Purchase commitments - 2028 Gain (Loss) on Securities [Line Items] Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block] Schedule of receivables Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalent Restricted cash, included in other assets at end of year Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total Debt and Lease Obligation Notes payable and other borrowings Debt and Lease Obligation, Total Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid Retroactive reinsurance contracts, claims paid Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Total Total Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid Losses and LAE paid Railroad Transportation Revenues Railroad transportation revenues. Railroad transportation revenues Energy Operations and Maintenance Energy operations and maintenance. Liability for Future Policy Benefit [Policy Text Block] Life, annuity and health insurance benefits Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Service cost Disclosure of accounting policy for new accounting pronouncements that have been issued but not yet adopted. Accounting pronouncements to be adopted subsequent to December 31, 2025 Description Of New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted [Policy Text Block] Independent power plants and other assets [Member] Independent power plants and other [Member] Other Energy Equipment [Member] Accounts Receivable, Credit Loss Expense (Reversal) Provisions for credit losses on receivables Provisions for credit losses on other receivables Operating Lease, Liability Operating lease liabilities Lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Total Auditor Firm ID Auditor Firm ID Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate Loss Contingency Number Of Plaintiffs Per Trial Number of plaintiffs per trial Loss contingency number of plaintiffs per damages trial. Short-Term Debt Short-term debt Short-Term Debt, Total Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of the change in goodwill Equity Securities, FV-NI, Cost Cost Basis Loss Contingency, Number of Plaintiffs, Limited Judgments Loss contingency, number of plaintiffs, limited judgments. Number of plaintiffs, limited judgments Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items] Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Nine Average annual percentage payout of losses incurred, net of reinsurance, year nine Burlington Northern Santa Fe and subsidiaries. Burlington Northern Santa Fe And Subsidiaries [Member] Burlington Northern Santa Fe ("BNSF") and subsidiaries [Member] Loss contingency, accrual interest rate Loss Contingency Accrual Interest Rate Loss contingency accrual interest rate. Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Two Debt maturities: 2027 Principal payments on debt - 2027 Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] Cove Point [Member] Represents Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group. Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] Insurance Group [Member] Insurance Group [Member] Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Total Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Gross liabilities at end of year Gross liabilities at the beginning of the year Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses Unpaid losses and LAE Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Premiums and Other Receivables Allowances for credit losses Financing Receivable, Originated, More than Five Years before Current Fiscal Year Loans and financing receivables by origination year, Prior Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net earnings Net earnings (loss) Net earnings (loss) Long-term Debt, Type Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Schedule of liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expense and incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses retroactive reinsurance contracts. Schedule Of Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense And incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses Retroactive Reinsurance Contracts [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of changes in claim liabilities and incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses Cybersecurity Risk Management Positions or Committees Responsible [Text Block] Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Average equivalent shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Goodwill, Acquired During Period Business acquisitions Gain (Loss) on Securities [Table Text Block] Summary of investment gains (losses) Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Minimum cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bill threshold after repurchase of common stock shares that are held in treasury. Minimum Cash Cash Equivalents And U S Treasury Bill Threshold After Repurchase Of Common Stock Shares Minimum cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bill threshold after repurchase of common stock shares, amount Regulatory Asset Regulatory assets Regulatory Asset, Total Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward] Plan assets Schedule of indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets. Schedule Of Indefinite Lived And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule Of Indefinite Lived And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Schedule of income tax reconciled to federal statutory amount Unpaid Policy Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block] Losses and loss adjustment expenses ("losses and LAE") Summary of gross premiums earned and net interest expense Summary of gross premiums earned and interest expense [Table Text Block] Summary of gross premiums earned and interest expense. Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] Investments Carried at Net Asset Value [Member] Segments [Axis] Segments Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Domain] Long-Lived Tangible Asset Represents GEICO. Geico [Member] GEICO [Member] An assumption as to the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested. Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation Expected Long Term Return On Assets Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets Unsettled purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills Other Payable to Broker-Dealer and Clearing Organization Payable for purchase of U.S. Treasury Bills Cybersecurity Risk Process for Informing Management or Committees Responsible [Text Block] Loss contingency, pre tax probable loss before insurance recoveries Loss Contingency Accrual, Provision Loss contingency accrual Deferred Tax Assets, Net [Abstract] Deferred income tax assets: Loans Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure Loans and finance receivables Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination Actuarial (gains) losses and other Actuarial (gains) losses and other Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Actuarial Gain (Loss) Equity, Attributable to Parent Ending Balance Beginning Balance Berkshire shareholders' equity Berkshire shareholders' equity Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Tax Applicable income taxes Short Duration Insurance Contracts Accident Years 2024 Through 2025 [Member] Short Duration Insurance Contracts Accident Years 2024 Through 2025. 2024-2025 [Member] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Equity method investments Equity method investments, carrying value Carrying Value Energy Depreciation and Amortization Energy depreciation and amortization. Valuation Approach and Technique [Domain] Valuation Approach and Technique Treasury Stock Acquired, Repurchase Authorization Shares repurchase, authorization description Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of estimates in preparation of financial statements Equity Method Investment [Table] Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Table] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, before Tax Actuarial gains (losses) and other Treasury Stock Treasury Stock, Common [Member] Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Five Debt maturities: 2030 Principal payments on debt - 2030 Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Balance at the beginning of the year Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Balance at December 31 Allowances for credit losses Gain (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction, before Tax Gain (loss) attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax, Total Foreign currency exchange (gains) losses Foreign currency exchange (gains) losses Foreign exchange losses (gains) on non-U.S. Dollar denominated debt Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair value measurements Represents a) The exclusive legal right granted by the government to the owner of the patent to exploit an invention or a process for a period of time specified by law, and b) Value associated with technology. Patents And Technology [Member] Patents and technology [Member] Represents the net intercompany lending with consolidated subsidiaries and purchases of subsidiaries. Investments In And Advances To And Repayments From Subsidiaries Investments in and advances to consolidated subsidiaries, net Number of Individual Plaintiffs Remain Outstanding Number of individual plaintiffs remain outstanding. Number of individual plaintiffs remain outstanding Effects of Reinsurance [Table] Effects Of Reinsurance [Table] Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit [Roll Forward] Aggregate amount of short-term and long-term debt maturing or scheduled to be repaid within the next twelve months following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements. Repayments Of Debt Principal In Next Twelve Months Debt maturities: 2026 Principal payments on debt - 2026 Gross Premiums Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Gross Premium Income UNITED STATES U.S. States [Member] United States [Member] Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Defined benefit pension plans [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Noncontrolling interests Life and Health [Member] Product line consisting of life and health insurance. Life And Health Insurance [Member] Life/Health [Member] Undiscounted expected future benefits Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Undiscounted, before Reinsurance Insurance, Other [Member] Other [Member] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract] Non-cash investing and financing activities: Non-controlled businesses Equity in Earnings Equity method earnings (losses) Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Four Debt maturities: 2029 Principal payments on debt - 2029 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices [Table] Summary of significant accounting policies and practices. Business Combination, Effective Date of Acquisition Business acquisition, effective date of acquisition Business acquisition, date completed Inventory, Current [Table] Represents Jefferies Financial Group Inc., formerly Leucadia National Corporation. Jefferies Financial Group Inc [Member] Jefferies Financial Group Inc. [Member] Investment Gains Losses Disclosure [Text Block] Investment gains losses disclosure. Investment gains (losses) Segment Reporting, CODM, Individual Title and Position or Group Name [Extensible Enumeration] Investment Product [Member] Investment Income [Member] Loss contingency, awarded value Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value Short Duration Insurance Contracts Accident Years 2016 Through 2025 [Member] Short Duration Insurance Contracts Accident Years 2016 Through 2025. Short Duration Insurance Contracts Accident Years 2016 Through 2025 [Member] Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block] Condensed Financial Information Represents an investment commitment. Investment Commitment [Member] Investment Commitment [Member] Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items] Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Other Segment Item, Amount Other segment items Revenue, Performance Obligation Satisfied over Time [Abstract] Regulatory Liability Regulatory liabilities Regulatory Liability, Total Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets, Total Short Duration Insurance Contracts Accident Years 2021 Through 2025 [Member] Short Duration Insurance Contracts Accident Years 2021 Through 2025. 2021-2025 [Member] Interest Expense, Operating and Nonoperating Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Interest expense, not allocated to segments Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Equity method investment ownership percentage Voting interests of investee Investment owned, percent of common shares outstanding Investment Owned Percent Of Common Shares Outstanding Investment owned percent of common shares outstanding. Cost of Product and Service Sold Cost of sales and services Cost of Goods and Services Sold, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Loss Reserves Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses Unpaid insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year Expected contribution to pension plans during the next year Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Two 2027 Taxable gains (losses) on sales of equity securities Taxable gains (loss) on sales of equity securities. Taxable Gains Loss On Sales Of Equity Securities Treasury Stock, Value, Total Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock, at cost Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Operating Lease Liabilities, Payments Due [Abstract] Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount Other differences, net amount Financing Receivable, Year One, Originated, Current Fiscal Year Loans and financing receivables by origination year, 2025 Pension Plan [Member] Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Property, plant and equipment and equipment held for lease Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Energy-Related, Percent Energy production tax credits, percentage Accounting Standards Update [Extensible Enumeration] Accounting Standards Update [Extensible Enumeration] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year One Average annual percentage payout of losses incurred, net of reinsurance, year one Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Business Combination, Achieved in Stages, Preacquisition and Acquired Equity Interests in Acquiree, Percentage Ownership interest percentage after subsequent acquisition Business Combination, Achieved in Stages, Preacquisition and Acquired Equity Interests in Acquiree, Percentage, Total Foreign currency effect Foreign currency effect Liability For Future Policy Benefit Expected Net Premium Foreign Currency Effect Amount of current period increase (decrease) in expected net premium component of liability for future policy benefit from foreign currency effects. Operating Leases Lease Income [Abstract] Operating Lease, Lease Income [Abstract] Other Commitments [Axis] Other Commitments M one point six two five senior notes due two thousand thirty five. M One Point Six Two Five Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Five [Member] M 1.625 Senior Notes Due 2035 [Member] Other retail and wholesale distribution. Other Retail And Wholesale Distribution [Member] Other Retail and Wholesale Distribution [Member] Tabular disclosure of premiums written and earned. Schedule of premiums written and earned Schedule Of Premiums Written And Earned [Table Text Block] Number of Reportable Segments Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible assets with indefinite lives, excluding goodwill Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Total Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Beginning Balance Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Ending Balance Liability for Future Policy Benefit Activity [Table] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Four Average annual percentage payout of losses incurred, net of reinsurance, year four Gain Loss On Investments And Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Tax Amount of income tax for realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment. Investment gains (losses), tax Liabilities, excluding income taxes, principally deferred, Total Liabilities, excluding income taxes, principally deferred Total liabilities, excluding income taxes, principally deferred. Common stock warrants. Common Stock Warrants [Member] Common Stock Warrants [Member] Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Percent Other differences, net percentage Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, plant and equipment, gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Ending Balance Net liabilities at end of year Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net Net liabilities at the beginning of the year Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate Weighted average interest rate, percentage Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Interest Cost, Statement of Income or Comprehensive Income [Extensible Enumeration] Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Earnings before income taxes Earnings (loss) before income taxes Earnings before income taxes Common Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital [Member] Common stock and capital in excess of par value Amount of cash outflow to acquire investments in U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities greater than three months recorded at amortized cost. Payments To Acquire U S Treasury Bills Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type M two point one five zero senior notes due two thousand twenty eight. M Two Point One Five Zero Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty Eight [Member] M 2.150 Senior Notes Due 2028 [Member] Increase (decrease) through transactions with non controlling interests. Increase Decrease Through Transactions With Noncontrolling Interests Transactions with noncontrolling interests Policyholder Account Balance Policyholder Account Balance, Total Policyholder Account Balance, Beginning Balance Policyholder Account Balance, Ending Balance Other insurance policyholder liabilities Liability For Future Policy Benefit Expected Net Premium Increase Decrease From Impact Of Cash Flow Assumption Amount of current period increase (decrease) in expected net premium component of liability for future policy benefit from cash flow assumption change for future cash flows. Effects of cash flow assumption changes Receivables Receivables Amount, after allowance, receivable from customers, clients, or other third-parties, and receivables classified as other. Accounts And Other Receivables Net Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Table] Liability For Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense [Table] Measurement Input Type [Domain] Measurement Input Type Excess of carrying value of investment over investees equity Excess of Carrying Value of Investment Over Investees Equity This item represents the excess carrying amount of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee over the investor's share of the investee's shareholders equity. Inventory, Net Inventories Total inventory Inventory, materials and supplies Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the year Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the year Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Other Investment gains from remeasurement Business Combination, Achieved in Stages, Preacquisition Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement, Gain (Loss) Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain (Loss), Net, Total Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activity Interest paid Cash paid during the period for interest Measurement Basis Measurement Basis [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights Exercise price for warrants, per share Summary of Significant Accounting Policies And Practices [Line Items] Summary of significant accounting policies and practices. Investment Holdings [Table] Summary Of Investment Holdings [Table] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Table Text Block] Transaction prices allocated to significant unsatisfied remaining performance obligations and timing of when performance obligations expected to be satisfied Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Represents the Railroad, Utilities and Energy reporting business units. Railroad Utilities And Energy [Member] Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling after 10 Years, Fair Value Due after ten years - fair value Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV Customer relationships and contracts [Member] Customer relationships and contracts. This item represents the remaining unamortized excess of the estimated ultimate liability for claims and claim costs over the premiums earned with respect to retroactive property/casualty reinsurance contracts. Deferred Charges Reinsurance Assumed [Member] Deferred Charges Reinsurance Assumed [Member] ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag Insurance Subsidiary Disclosure [Text Block] Insurance subsidiary disclosure. Insurance subsidiary disclosures Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Benefits Paid Benefits paid AOCI, Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, before Tax AOCI, Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, before Tax, Beginning Balance Effects of changes in discount rate assumptions Physical damage insurance. Physical Damage Insurance [Member] Physical Damage [Member] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Summary of Other Information Relating to Long-Duration Insurance Liabilities Summary of Other Information Relating to Long-Duration Insurance Liabilities [Table Text Block] Summary of other information relating to long-duration insurance liabilities. Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Operating Lease, Variable Lease Income Variable Revenue [Policy Text Block] Revenue recognition Line of Credit [Member] Line of Credit and Commercial Paper Facilities [Member] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Realized Loss Fixed maturity securities - Gross realized losses Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Litigation Settlement, Scheduled Payments Term Litigation settlement, scheduled payments term. Litigation settlement, scheduled payments term Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock Other Receivables Other Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Current Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Represents National Indemnity Company. National Indemnity Company [Member] NICO [Member] Interest accrual Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Interest Expense Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, and Governance [Line Items] Represents land, capitalized costs related to railroad track structure and other capitalizable roadway costs. Land Track Structure And Other Roadway [Member] Land, track structure and other roadway [Member] Numbers of Structure Destroyed Numbers of structure destroyed. Number of structures damaged Short-Term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time Short-term borrowings, weighted average interest rate Liabilities Liabilities Total liabilities Goodwill And Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset Impairment After Taxes Amount of after-tax impairment loss resulting from write-down of assets lacking physical substance and having a projected indefinite period of benefit to fair value and from write-down of assets representing future economic benefit arising from other assets acquired in business combination. Equity in net earnings of impairment loss after tax Amount of sales, service and leasing revenues when it serves as a benchmark in a concentration of risk calculation. Sales Service And Leasing Revenues [Member] Sales, Service and Leasing Revenues [Member] Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized, excluding goodwill. Assets Excluding Goodwill Identifiable assets at year-end Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items] Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items] Financial Instruments [Domain] Financial Instruments Reinsurance recoverables Reinsurance recoverables Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Reinsurance Recoverable, after Allowance Charge Offs, net of recoveries on receivables. Charge Offs Net Of Recoveries On Receivables Charge-offs, net of recoveries This element represents disclosure of the aggregate dividends and distributions earned by the parent entity from its consolidated subsidiaries. Dividends And Distributions From Consolidated Subsidiaries Dividends and distributions Foreign Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Total Long duration insurance contracts [Member] Accumulated Long Duration Insurance Contracts [Member] Accumulated long duration insurance contracts. Estimated pre-tax probable loss Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block] Investments under the equity method All Currencies [Domain] All Currencies Operating Lease, Lease Income, Lease Payments Fixed Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Expected return on plan assets Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two Year 2 Balance at December 31, 2020, as previously reported Liability for Future Policy Benefit, before Reinsurance Life, annuity and health insurance benefits Liability for Future Policy Benefit, before Reinsurance, Total Balance at December 31 Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Represents casualty insurance. Casualty Insurance [Member] Casualty [Member] Casualty [Member] Other accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the parent. Other Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Other AOCI transactions [Member] Equity method investment summarized financial information net income loss attributable to common stockholders. Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Net Income Loss Attributable To Common Stockholders Net earnings attributable to common shareholders Securities Act File Number Entity File Number Wildfires [Member] Wildfires. Tabular disclosure of the carrying value of finite and indefinite lived intangible assets in total and by major class. Schedule of intangible assets Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Table Text Block] Discount for Illiquidity and Subordination Measurement Inputs Discount For Illiquidity and Subordination [Member] Measurement inputs discount for illiquidity and subordination. Other Assets Other Other assets Other Assets, Total Cover [Abstract] Purchase Obligation, to be Paid, Year Five Purchase commitments - 2030 Short-Duration Insurance Contract, Accident Year 2020 [Member] 2020 [Member] Measurement Input Type [Axis] Measurement Input Type Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling after 5 through 10 Years, Amortized Cost Due after five years through ten years - amortized cost Other Expenses Other expenses Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment [Abstract] Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment [Abstract] Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Reconciliations of significant assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Other, including impairments and foreign currency translation Goodwill, Other Increase (Decrease) Investments [Domain] Investments Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Earnings before income taxes and equity method earnings Represents Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company and subsidiaries. Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company And Subsidiaries [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Energy and Subsidiaries [Member] Revenue Benchmark [Member] Revenues [Member] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Business segment data General and Administrative Expense General and administrative General and Administrative Expense, Total Balance at beginning of year at original discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Original Discount Rate, before Cash Flow and Reinsurance Balance at beginning of year at original discount rate Increase in incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Period Increase (Decrease) Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Tax Jurisdiction of Domicile [Extensible Enumeration] Represents the principal insurance subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Principal Insurance Subsidiaries [Member] Principal Insurance Subsidiaries [Member] Antitrust Burnett Case [Member] Antitrust Burnett case. M 1.500 Senior Notes Due 2030 [Member] M One Point Five Zero Zero Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty [Member] M one point five zero zero senior notes due two thousand thirty. Deferred Charge Assets On Reinsurance Assumed Deferred charges assets on reinsurance assumed. Deferred charge assets on retroactive reinsurance contracts Grocery and convenience store distribution. Grocery And Convenience Store Distribution [Member] Grocery and Convenience Store Distribution [Member] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, Year Six Average annual percentage payout of losses incurred, net of reinsurance, year six Catastrophe [Member] Catastrophe [Member] Prior year claims and claims adjustment expense as a percentage of the beginning of period net liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses. Percentage Of Increase Or Decrease In Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Net Prior years' losses incurred as a percentage of net liabilities Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Claims Development [Table] Shortduration Insurance Contracts Claims Development [Table] Long-duration insurance contracts Long-Duration Insurance Contracts Disclosure [Text Block] M 2.000 Senior Notes Due 2034 [Member] M Two Point Zero Zero Zero Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Thirty Four [Member] M two point zero zero zero senior notes due two thousand thirty four. Deferred Tax Assets, Other Other Other Short-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Claims Development [Line Items] Claims Development [Line Items] Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) Gross carrying amount Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill), Total Senior Notes And Term Loan Due Two Thousand Twenty Eight To Two Thousand Fifty Five [Member] Senior Notes And Term Loan Due Two Thousand Twenty Eight To Two Thousand Fifty Five. Senior Notes and Term Loan Due 2028 to 2055 [Member] Assumed Premiums Written Premiums written - Assumed The entire disclosure for investments in equity securities. Investments In Equity Securities Disclosure [Text Block] Investments in equity securities Tabular disclosure of income tax liability as of the balance sheet date. Schedule of income tax liability Schedule Of Income Tax Liability [Table Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life Estimated useful life (in years) Short-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Represents the Utilities and Energy reporting business units. Utilities And Energy [Member] Utilities and Energy [Member] New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Accounting pronouncements adopted in 2025 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Maturity [Table Text Block] Summary of remaining operating lease payments Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Other, Percent Other percentage Ownership [Axis] Ownership Summary of earnings and distributions received from equity method investments. Summary of Earnings and Distributions Received from Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block] Summary of earnings and distributions received from equity method investments Represents workers' compensation and other casualty insurance. Workers Compensation And Other Casualty Insurance [Member] Workers' Compensation and Other Casualty [Member] Workers' Compensation and Other Casualty [Member] Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member] Other [Member] Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Accumulated other comprehensive income Business Combination, Recognized Liability Assumed, Liability Liabilities assumed Liabilities assumed Liabilities Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Domestic Domestic Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract] Income tax expense reconciliation 2023 [Member] Short-Duration Insurance Contract, Accident Year 2023 [Member] Reported Value Measurement [Member] Carrying Value [Member] Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt Proceeds from borrowings Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt, Total Investment, Type [Extensible Enumeration] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Significant accounting policies and practices Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Shares outstanding, ending balance Shares outstanding, beginning balance Shares outstanding Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations Cybersecurity Risk Management Processes Integrated [Flag] Document Transition Report Document Transition Report AOCI, Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, before Tax AOCI, Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, before Tax, Beginning Balance Effects of changes in discount rate assumptions Freight rail transportation expenses Operating Expenses Operating Expenses, Total Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration [Line Items] Shortduration Insurance Contracts Historical Claims Duration [Line Items] Receivable [Domain] Receivable Valuation Technique, Discounted Cash Flow [Member] Discounted Cash Flow [Member] Short-Duration Insurance Contract, Accident Year 2022 [Member] 2022 [Member] Acquisitions of treasury stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Schedule of Investments [Abstract] Balance at beginning of year Expected future net premiums at December 31 Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, before Reinsurance, after Discount Rate Change Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, before Reinsurance, after Discount Rate Change, Total Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Other sales and service contracts. Other Sales And Service Contracts [Member] Other Sales and Service Contracts [Member] Costs related to leasing operations. Cost of leasing Cost of leasing Loss Contingency Estimates For Additional Damage Expected Amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff and estimates for additional damages in the legal matter net of insurance recoveries. Loss contingency estimates for additional damage expected Represents The Kraft Heinz Company. The Kraft Heinz Company [Member] The Kraft Heinz Company [Member] Kraft Heinz [Member] Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Accounts and Financing Receivables [Table] Schedule Of Accounts Notes Loans And Financing Receivable [Table] Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Prior Years Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid, prior accident years Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Net of Reserves Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Net of Reserves, Total Inventory, materials and supplies Raw materials and supplies Finite lived and and indefinite-lived intangible assets by major class. Finite Lived And And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Domain] Finite Lived And And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class Represents investment funds and other. Investment Funds And Other [Member] Investment Funds and Other [Member] Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] Foreign governments [Member] Financing Receivable, Unamortized Loan Cost (Fee) and Purchase Premium (Discount) Unamortized acquisition discounts and points Financing Receivable, Unamortized Loan Cost (Fee) and Purchase Premium (Discount), Total Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value Ending Balance Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Other Cybersecurity Risk Management Processes Integrated [Text Block] Net earnings (loss) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders Net earnings attributable to Berkshire shareholders Defined Benefit Plan Cash and Short Term Investments [Member] Defined Benefit Plan Cash and Short Term Investments [Member] Cash and Short-term Investments [Member] Inventory [Line Items] Partner Type of Partners' Capital Account, Name [Domain] Partner Type of Partners' Capital Account, Name Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, by Jurisdiction [Abstract] Income tax expense: Operating lease expense Operating Lease, Cost Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases, (Sales), Issuances, (Settlements) Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases, (Sales), Issuances, (Settlements), Total Dispositions and settlements Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss), Total Equity securities - Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) during the year on securities held at the end of the year Proceeds from (Payment for) Other Financing Activity Other Other, principally transactions with noncontrolling interests Before 2021 [Member] Short Duration Insurance Contracts Accident Years Before 2021 [Member] Short Duration Insurance Contracts Accident Years Before 2021. Reinsurer, Name [Axis] Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Other intangible assets Net carrying value Identifiable assets at year-end Settlement payments to be paid Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded to Other Party Short-Duration Insurance Contract, Accident Year 2025 [Member] 2025 [Member] Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss Trade receivables Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Activity [Line Items] Depreciation expense Depreciation, Excluding Lessor Asset under Operating Lease Assets: Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Property Insurance [Member] Property [Member] Property [Member] Partner Type [Axis] Partner Type Represents the Insurance and Other reporting business units. Insurance And Other [Member] Insurance and Other [Member] Construction in Progress [Member] Construction in progress [Member] Repayments of Debt Repayments of borrowings Repayments of borrowings Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in deferred charges retroactive reinsurance. Increase Decrease In Deferred Charges Retroactive Reinsurance Deferred charges - retroactive reinsurance Asia Pacific [Member] Asia Pacific [Member] Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income Other Assets [Member] Other Assets [Member] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark Equity Securities, FV-NI, Measurement Input Unobservable inputs Represents the aggregate total of adjustments for nonoperating corporate items, reconciling items and eliminations. Corporate Reconciling Items And Eliminations [Member] Corporate, Eliminations and Other [Member] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period Performance obligations expected to be satisfied, period Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities Cash paid during the period for interest Interest paid Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities, Total Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Other Adjustments to additional paid in capital Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year One 2026 Describes the nature of a) an entity's business, including the major services it sells or provides, and b) an entity's accounting policy regarding the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements. 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Represents a) Long lived, depreciable assets, commonly used in offices and stores, and b) Other long term capitalized assets related to property, plant and equipment not otherwise previously categorized. Furniture Fixtures And Other [Member] Furniture, fixtures and other [Member] Disclosure of accounting policy for retroactive reinsurance contracts. Retroactive reinsurance Retroactive Reinsurance Contracts [Policy Text Block] Reinsurer, Name [Domain] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Axis] Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract] Deferred income tax liabilities: Depreciation, Lessor Asset under Operating Lease Equipment held for lease depreciation expense Operating Lease, Lease Income [Table Text Block] Summary of fixed and variable operating lease revenues Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax Foreign currency translation Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax, Total Represents Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group. Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group [Member] BHRG [Member] Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Electricity and natural gas. Electricity And Natural Gas [Member] Electricity and Natural Gas [Member] Financing Receivable [Policy Text Block] Loans and finance receivables Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Dividends, Amount Dividends received deduction, amount Economic Damages [Member] Economic damages. Balance at beginning of year at original discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Original Discount Rate, before Cash Flow and Reinsurance Balance at beginning of year at original discount rate Accretion (Amortization) of Discounts and Premiums, Investments Discount accretion on investments, principally U.S. Treasury Bills Discount accretion on investments, principally U.S. Treasury Bills Catastrophic Event [Domain] Catastrophic Event The entire disclosure about the entity's classes of common stock authorized, issued, and outstanding, including any changes approved by shareholders, and a rollforward of outstanding shares. Common Stock Disclosure [Text Block] Common stock Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash equivalents Represents the United States based property and casualty insurance subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. United States Based Property And Casualty Insurance Subsidiaries [Member] United States Based Property and Casualty Insurance Subsidiaries [Member] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Shareholders’ equity: Revenues [Abstract] Revenues: Represents capitalized costs related to locomotives freight cars and other related equipment. Locomotives Freight Cars And Other Equipment [Member] Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member] Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date for a) payments made in advance for income taxes, which will be charged against earnings, b) income taxes previously overpaid to tax authorities representing refunds of overpayments or recoveries based on agreed-upon resolutions of disputes, c) the net cumulative amount for all deferred taxes arising from temporary differences between accounting income in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and tax-basis income, and d) unpaid sum of the known and estimated amounts payable to satisfy all currently due domestic and foreign income tax obligations. Income Taxes Principally Deferred Income taxes, principally deferred Income taxes, principally deferred Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Other receivables Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings Gains (losses) included in earnings Short Duration Insurance Contracts Accident Years Before 2024 [Member] Short Duration Insurance Contracts Accident Years Before 2024. Before 2024 [Member] Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling after One Through Five Years, Fair Value Due after one year through five years - fair value Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Net periodic pension expense (income) Short-term lease expense Short-Term Lease, Cost Auditor Opinion [Text Block] Auditor Opinion Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling within One Year, Fair Value Due in one year or less - fair value Tabular disclosure of depreciation expense for property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease. Schedule of depreciation expense Schedule Of Depreciation Expense [Table Text Block] Food and Beverage [Member] Food and Beverage Distribution [Member] Manufactured housing loan balance. Manufactured Housing Loan Balance [Member] Manufactured Housing Loan Balances [Member] HomeServices of America [Member] HomeServices of America [Member] HomeServices of America [Member] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling within One Year, Amortized Cost Due in one year or less - amortized cost Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses at end of year Reinsurance Recoverables on Unpaid Losses, Gross Reinsurance recoverable Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses at the beginning of the year Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net Unpaid losses and ALAE, net Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net, Total Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Revenue from contracts with customers Revenues Insurance recoveries Insurance Recoveries Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted Guarantee obligation Preferred stock investment redemption year start. Preferred Stock Investment Redemption Year Start Investment in preferred stock, redemption year start AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Parent [Member] Unrealized investment gains (losses) [Member] Amount of investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI) when it serves as a benchmark in a concentration of risk calculation. Equity Securities Fv Ni [Member] Equity Securities [Member] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four Year 4 Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock External Credit Rating by Grouping [Domain] External Credit Rating by Grouping Represents Class B shares outstanding plus 1,500 times Class A shares outstanding. Equivalent Class B [Member] Equivalent Class B [Member] Commercial Paper [Member] Commercial Paper [Member] Labor and Related Expense Compensation and benefits Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of components used by the Entity which are bought from another entity rather than produced by the Entity, net of valuation reserves and adjustments. Other Inventory Purchased Goods Net Of Reserves Goods acquired for resale Consumer [Member] Investment sector consisting of consumer products. Consumer Products [Member] Consumer products [Member] Other revenues Revenue Not from Contract with Customer Stock, Class of Stock [Table] Schedule Of Stock By Class [Table] Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss Accumulated goodwill impairments Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Revision of Prior Period, Accounting Standards Update, Adjustment [Member] Effect of adoption of ASU 2023-02 Represents cumulative perpetual preferred stock. Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]