Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) 10-Q 2 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 24, 2014	Apr. 24, 2014
		Class A [Member]	Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'	'
Trading Symbol	'BRKA	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001067983	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	856,453	1,181,859,931

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$48,948	$48,186
Investments in fixed maturity securities	29,558	29,353
Investments in equity securities	118,486	117,505
Inventories	10,245	9,860
Goodwill	58,264	57,011
Total assets	494,944	484,931
LIABILITIES	'	'
Income taxes, principally deferred	60,001	57,739
Total liabilities	264,655	260,446
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Common stock	8	8
Capital in excess of par value	35,465	35,472
Accumulated other comprehensive income	45,049	44,025
Retained earnings	148,453	143,748
Treasury stock, at cost	-1,363	-1,363
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity	227,612	221,890
Noncontrolling interests	2,677	2,595
Total shareholders' equity	230,289	224,485
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	494,944	484,931
Insurance and Other [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	42,193	42,433
Investments in fixed maturity securities	29,101	28,785
Investments in equity securities	116,160	115,464
Other investments	13,259	12,334
Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation	12,087	12,111
Receivables	22,717	20,280
Inventories	10,245	9,860
Property, plant and equipment	13,798	13,623
Goodwill	34,237	33,067
Other	20,518	19,113
Total assets	314,315	307,070
LIABILITIES	'	'
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	65,430	64,866
Unearned premiums	12,271	10,770
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits	11,958	11,681
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	20,849	21,979
Notes payable and other borrowings	12,448	12,440
Total liabilities	122,956	121,736
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	3,847	3,400
Property, plant and equipment	103,508	102,482
Goodwill	22,685	22,603
Other	16,904	16,149
Total assets	146,944	144,634
LIABILITIES	'	'
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	14,467	14,557
Notes payable and other borrowings	47,751	46,655
Total liabilities	62,218	61,212
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	2,908	2,353
Investments in fixed maturity securities	457	568
Investments in equity and fixed maturity securities	1,392	1,506
Investments in equity securities	935	938
Other investments	5,884	5,617
Loans and finance receivables	12,464	12,826
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease	7,774	7,700
Goodwill	1,342	1,341
Other	1,921	1,884
Total assets	33,685	33,227
LIABILITIES	'	'
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	1,361	1,299
Derivative contract liabilities	5,095	5,331
Notes payable and other borrowings	13,024	13,129
Total liabilities	$19,480	$19,759

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ear

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'		'
Investment gains/losses	$1,131		$505
Total revenues	45,453		43,867
Costs and expenses:	'		'
Total costs and expenses	38,855		36,572
Earnings before income taxes	6,598		7,295
Income tax expense	1,825		2,278
Net earnings	4,773		5,017
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	68		125
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway	4,705		4,892
Average common shares outstanding	1,644,059	[1]	1,643,181	[1]
Class A [Member]	'		'
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders:	'		'
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$2,862	[1]	$2,977	[1]
Insurance and Other [Member]	'		'
Revenues:	'		'
Insurance premiums earned	9,416		9,377
Sales and service revenues	22,328		21,996
Interest, dividend and other investment income	1,155		1,010
Investment gains/losses	1,059		434
Total revenues	33,958		32,817
Costs and expenses:	'		'
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses	5,590		5,144
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits	1,210		1,261
Insurance underwriting expenses	1,901		1,583
Cost of sales and services	18,137		18,019
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,888		2,814
Interest expense	98		93
Total costs and expenses	29,824		28,914
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'		'
Revenues:	'		'
Total revenues	9,753		8,400
Costs and expenses:	'		'
Cost of sales and operating expenses	7,381		6,111
Interest expense	565		447
Total costs and expenses	7,946		6,558
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'		'
Revenues:	'		'
Sales and service revenues	1,096		1,031
Interest, dividend and other investment income	338		342
Investment gains/losses	72		71
Derivative gains/losses	236		1,206
Total revenues	1,742		2,650
Costs and expenses:	'		'
Cost of sales and services	589		558
Selling, general and administrative expenses	377		396
Interest expense	119		146
Total costs and expenses	$1,085		$1,100
[1]	Average shares outstanding include average Class A common shares and average Class B common shares determined on an equivalent Class A common stock basis. Net earnings per common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shown above represents net earnings per equivalent Class A common share. Net earnings per Class B common share is equal to one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of such amount.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ear1

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Parenthetical) (Class B [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Class B [Member]	'
Ratio of earnings per Class B share to earnings per Class A share	0.000667

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net earnings	$4,773	$5,017
Other comprehensive income:	'	'
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	2,591	9,641
Applicable income taxes	-898	-3,326
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	-1,041	-504
Applicable income taxes	364	176
Foreign currency translation	26	-650
Applicable income taxes	7	51
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	7	87
Applicable income taxes	'	-23
Other, net	-4	16
Other comprehensive income, net	1,052	5,468
Comprehensive income	5,825	10,485
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	96	101
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$5,729	$10,384

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common stock and capital in excess of par value	Accumulated other comprehensive income	Retained earnings	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interests
In Millions
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$191,588	$37,238	$27,500	$124,272	($1,363)	$3,941
Net earnings	5,017	'	'	4,892	'	125
Other comprehensive income, net	5,468	'	5,492	'	'	-24
Issuance of common stock	39	39	'	'	'	'
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	-6	1	'	'	'	-7
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	202,106	37,278	32,992	129,164	-1,363	4,035
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	224,485	35,480	44,025	143,748	-1,363	2,595
Net earnings	4,773	'	'	4,705	'	68
Other comprehensive income, net	1,052	'	1,024	'	'	28
Issuance of common stock	35	35	'	'	'	'
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	-56	-42	'	'	'	-14
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$230,289	$35,473	$45,049	$148,453	($1,363)	$2,677

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net earnings	$4,773	$5,017
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:	'	'
Investment (gains) losses	-1,131	-505
Depreciation and amortization	1,772	1,601
Other	-236	-16
Changes in operating assets and liabilities before business acquisitions:	'	'
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	474	547
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	-278	-389
Unearned premiums	1,497	1,306
Receivables and originated loans	-2,415	-1,475
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	-236	-1,117
Income taxes	1,141	1,793
Other	-433	-707
Net cash flows from operating activities	4,928	6,055
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	-1,996	-1,807
Purchases of equity securities	-1,202	-1,411
Sales of fixed maturity securities	88	675
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	1,989	1,426
Sales of equity securities	103	673
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	-58	-57
Collections of loans and finance receivables	501	69
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	-700	-92
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-2,794	-2,207
Other	214	-1,225
Net cash flows from investing activities	-3,855	-3,956
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Change in short term borrowings, net	-4	-496
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	-1,286	-590
Other financing activities	14	-7
Net cash flows from financing activities	-311	57
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	'	-59
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	762	2,097
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	48,186	46,992
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	48,948	49,089
Insurance and Other [Member]	'	'
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:	'	'
Investment (gains) losses	-1,059	-434
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from borrowings	10	2,579
Repayments of borrowings	-27	-2,681
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	42,433	42,358
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	42,193	43,984
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from borrowings	1,925	1,500
Repayments of borrowings	-838	-152
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,400	2,570
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	3,847	3,003
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'	'
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:	'	'
Investment (gains) losses	-72	-71
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from borrowings	749	519
Repayments of borrowings	-854	-615
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,353	2,064
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	$2,908	$2,102

General

General	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
General	'
	Note 1. General
	The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire” or “Company”) consolidated with the accounts of all its subsidiaries and affiliates in which Berkshire holds controlling financial interests as of the financial statement date. In these notes the terms “us,” “we,” or “our” refer to Berkshire and its consolidated subsidiaries. Reference is made to Berkshire’s most recently issued Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) that included information necessary or useful to understanding Berkshire’s businesses and financial statement presentations. Our significant accounting policies and practices were presented as Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report. In our 2014 financial statements, we are presenting Marmon’s transportation equipment manufacturing, repair and leasing businesses as a component of finance and financial products businesses. Prior period amounts in these financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. On April 30, 2014, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company announced it changed its name to Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“Berkshire Hathaway Energy”).
	Financial information in this Report reflects any adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of results for the interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).
	For a number of reasons, our results for interim periods are not normally indicative of results to be expected for the year. The timing and magnitude of catastrophe losses incurred by insurance subsidiaries and the estimation error inherent to the process of determining liabilities for unpaid losses of insurance subsidiaries can be relatively more significant to results of interim periods than to results for a full year. Variations in the amount and timing of investment gains/losses can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings. Investment gains/losses are recorded when investments are disposed or are other-than-temporarily impaired. In addition, changes in the fair value of derivative assets/liabilities associated with derivative contracts can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.

New_accounting_pronouncements

New accounting pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
New accounting pronouncements	'
	Note 2. New accounting pronouncements
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date.” ASU 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date as the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay plus additional amounts the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. ASU 2013-04 became effective as of January 1, 2014.
	In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01 “Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Tax Credits.” ASU 2014-01 permits an entity to elect the proportional amortization method of accounting for limited liability investments in qualified affordable housing projects if certain criteria are met. Under the proportional amortization method, the investment is amortized in proportion to the tax benefits received and the amortization charge is reported as a component of income tax expense. We adopted ASU 2014-01 for eligible investments as of January 1, 2014. The adoption of these accounting pronouncements had an immaterial effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08 “Reporting of Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” ASU 2014-08 provides a narrower definition of discontinued operations than under existing U.S. GAAP. ASU 2014-08 requires that only disposals of components of an entity (or groups of components) that represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the reporting entity’s operations are reported in the financial statements as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also provides guidance on the financial statement presentations and disclosures of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for disposals (or classifications of held-for-sale) of components of an entity that occur in annual or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014.

Significant_business_acquisiti

Significant business acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Significant business acquisitions	'
	Note 3. Significant business acquisitions
	Our long-held acquisition strategy is to acquire businesses at sensible prices that have consistent earning power, good returns on equity and able and honest management.
	On December 19, 2013, Berkshire Hathaway Energy acquired NV Energy, Inc. (“NV Energy”) for cash consideration of approximately $5.6 billion. NV Energy is an energy holding company serving approximately 1.2 million retail electric and 0.2 million retail natural gas customers in Nevada. NV Energy’s principal operating subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are regulated utilities. We accounted for the acquisition pursuant to the acquisition method. NV Energy’s financial results are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on the acquisition date.
	The preliminary values of NV Energy’s identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed and residual goodwill at the date of acquisition are summarized as follows (in millions).
		19-Dec-13
	Property, plant and equipment		$	9,550
	Goodwill			2,362
	Other assets, including cash of $304 million			2,481
	Assets acquired		$	14,393
	Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		$	3,455
	Notes payable and other borrowings			5,342
	Liabilities assumed		$	8,797
	Net assets acquired		$	5,596
	On January 1, 2014, we acquired the beverage dispensing and merchandising operations of British engineering company, IMI plc for approximately $1.13 billion. This business was acquired through Marmon. On February 25, 2014, we acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of Phillips Specialty Products Inc. (“PSPI”) in exchange for 17,422,615 shares of Phillips 66 (“PSX”) common stock with an aggregate fair value of $1.35 billion. PSPI, which has been renamed as Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. (“LSPI”), provides flow improver products to customers worldwide. At their respective acquisition dates, the aggregate preliminary fair values of the identified assets and liabilities of IMI plc and LSPI were approximately $1.87 billion and $450 million, respectively, and the residual goodwill was approximately $1.06 billion.
	The following table sets forth certain unaudited pro forma consolidated earnings data for the first three months of 2013 (in millions, except per share amounts).
	Revenues	$	44,685
	Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		4,924
	Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		2,997

Investments_in_fixed_maturity_

Investments in fixed maturity securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments in fixed maturity securities	'
	Note 4. Investments in fixed maturity securities
	Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized by type below (in millions).
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair		Carrying
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Value		Value
	March 31, 2014
	Available for sale:
	U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,926	$	16	$	(7	)	$	2,935	$	2,935
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,074		113		(2	)		2,185		2,185
	Foreign governments		12,201		221		(85	)		12,337		12,337
	Corporate bonds		8,213		1,245		(4	)		9,454		9,454
	Mortgage-backed securities		1,769		224		(6	)		1,987		1,987
			27,183		1,819		(104	)		28,898		28,898
	Held to maturity:
	Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company notes		660		14		—			674		660
		$	27,843	$	1,833	$	(104	)	$	29,572	$	29,558
	December 31, 2013
	Available for sale:
	U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,650	$	16	$	(8	)	$	2,658	$	2,658
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,221		129		(5	)		2,345		2,345
	Foreign governments		11,001		182		(110	)		11,073		11,073
	Corporate bonds		9,383		1,190		(15	)		10,558		10,558
	Mortgage-backed securities		1,830		218		(8	)		2,040		2,040
			27,085		1,735		(146	)		28,674		28,674
	Held to maturity:
	Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company notes		679		17		—			696		679
		$	27,764	$	1,752	$	(146	)	$	29,370	$	29,353
	Investments in fixed maturity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Insurance and other	$	29,101		$28,785
	Finance and financial products		457		568
		$	29,558		$29,353
	Investments in foreign government securities include securities issued by national and provincial government entities as well as instruments that are unconditionally guaranteed by such entities. As of March 31, 2014, approximately 93% of foreign government holdings were rated AA or higher by at least one of the major rating agencies and securities issued or guaranteed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada and The Netherlands represented 75% of these investments. Unrealized losses on all fixed maturity investments in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $21 million as of March 31, 2014 and $26 million as of December 31, 2013.
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities at March 31, 2014 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers of certain of the securities retain early call or prepayment rights. Amounts are in millions.
		Due in one		Due after one		Due after five			Due after		Mortgage-		Total
		year or less		year through		years through			ten years		backed
				five years		ten years					securities
	Amortized cost	$	7,986	$	12,704	$	2,587		$	2,797	$	1,769	$	27,843
	Fair value		8,069		13,431		2,864			3,221		1,987		29,572

Investments_in_equity_securiti

Investments in equity securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments in equity securities	'
	Note 5. Investments in equity securities
	Investments in equity securities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized based on the primary industry of the investee in the table below (in millions).
			Cost Basis		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
					Gains		Losses			Value
	March 31, 2014 *
	Banks, insurance and finance		$	22,410	$	30,042	$	(7	)	$	52,445
	Consumer products			7,083		16,652		(1	)		23,734
	Commercial, industrial and other			30,695		11,888		(276	)		42,307
			$	60,188	$	58,582	$	(284	)	$	118,486
	*	As of March 31, 2014, approximately 56% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $13.6 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $24.0 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $13.2 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $15.5 billion).
			Cost Basis		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
					Gains		Losses			Value
	December 31, 2013 *
	Banks, insurance and finance		$	22,420	$	28,021	$	—		$	50,441
	Consumer products			7,082		17,854		—			24,936
	Commercial, industrial and other			29,949		12,322		(143	)		42,128
			$	59,451	$	58,197	$	(143	)	$	117,505
	*	As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $16.5 billion).
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we concluded that the unrealized losses shown in the tables above were temporary. Our conclusions were based on: (a) our ability and intent to hold the securities to recovery; (b) our assessment that the underlying business and financial condition of each of these issuers was favorable; (c) our opinion that the relative price declines were not significant; and (d) our belief that market prices will increase to and exceed our cost. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unrealized losses on equity securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $44 million and $52 million, respectively.
	Investments in equity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).
			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Insurance and other		$	116,160	$	115,464
	Railroad, utilities and energy *			1,391		1,103
	Finance and financial products			935		938
			$	118,486	$	117,505
	*	Included in other assets.

Other_investments

Other investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other investments	'
	Note 6. Other investments
	Other investments include preferred stock of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (“Wrigley”), The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) and Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) as well as warrants to purchase common stock of BAC. Information concerning each of these investments follows.
	In 2008, we acquired $2.1 billion liquidation amount of Wrigley preferred stock in conjunction with Mars’ acquisition of Wrigley. The Wrigley preferred stock is entitled to dividends at a rate of 5% per annum. This investment is included in our Finance and Financial Products businesses.
	In 2009, we acquired 3,000,000 shares of Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock of Dow (“Dow Preferred”) for a cost of $3 billion. Each share of the Dow Preferred is convertible into 24.201 shares of Dow common stock (equivalent to a conversion price of $41.32 per share). Beginning in April 2014, Dow shall have the right, at its option, to cause some or all of the Dow Preferred to be converted into Dow common stock at the then applicable conversion rate, if Dow’s common stock price exceeds $53.72 per share for any 20 trading days in a consecutive 30-day window ending on the day before Dow exercises its option. The Dow Preferred is entitled to dividends at a rate of 8.5% per annum. The Dow Preferred is included in our Insurance and Other businesses.
	In 2011, we acquired 50,000 shares of 6% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of BAC (“BAC Preferred”) and warrants to purchase 700,000,000 shares of common stock of BAC (“BAC Warrants”) for a combined cost of $5 billion. The BAC Preferred is currently redeemable at any time by BAC at a price of $105,000 per share ($5.25 billion in aggregate). The BAC Warrants expire in 2021 and are exercisable for an aggregate cost of $5 billion ($7.142857/share). The BAC Preferred and BAC Warrants are included in our Insurance and Other businesses (80%) and our Finance and Financial Products businesses (20%). At the end of 2013, Berkshire agreed to a proposed amendment to the terms of the BAC Preferred. Under the proposed amendment, the BAC Preferred would not be redeemable for a period of five years from the date the amendment is adopted and dividends would no longer be cumulative. The amendment is subject to the approval by a majority of the voting power of BAC’s shareholders for which a shareholder vote is scheduled to take place on May 7, 2014.
	Our other investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. In the aggregate, the cost of these investments was $10.0 billion and the fair value was approximately $19.1 billion and $17.9 billion at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Investments_in_HJ_Heinz_Holdin

Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation	'
	Note 7. Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation
	On June 7, 2013, Berkshire and an affiliate of the global investment firm 3G Capital (such affiliate, “3G”), through a newly formed holding company, H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz Holding”), acquired H.J. Heinz Company (“Heinz”). Berkshire and 3G each made equity investments in Heinz Holding, which, together with debt financing obtained by Heinz Holding, was used to acquire all outstanding common stock of Heinz for approximately $23.25 billion in the aggregate.
	Heinz is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta, infant foods, Ore-Ida® potato products, Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® entrées and T.G.I. Friday’s® snacks.
	Berkshire’s investments in Heinz Holding consist of 425 million shares of common stock, warrants to acquire approximately 46 million additional shares of common stock, and cumulative compounding preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) with a liquidation preference of $8 billion. The aggregate cost of these investments was $12.25 billion. 3G acquired 425 million shares of Heinz Holding common stock for $4.25 billion. In addition, Heinz Holding reserved 39.6 million shares of common stock for issuance under stock options.
	The Preferred Stock possesses no voting rights except as required by law or for certain matters specified in the Heinz Holding charter. The Preferred Stock is entitled to dividends at 9% per annum whether or not declared, is senior in priority to the common stock and is callable after June 7, 2016 at the liquidation value plus an applicable premium and any accrued and unpaid dividends. Under the Heinz Holding charter and a shareholders’ agreement entered into as of the acquisition date (the “shareholders’ agreement”), after June 7, 2021, Berkshire can cause Heinz Holding to attempt to sell shares of common stock through public offerings or other issuances (“redemption offerings”), the proceeds of which would be required to be used to redeem any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. The warrants are exercisable for one cent per share and expire on June 7, 2018.
	Berkshire and 3G each currently own 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock and possess equal voting interests in Heinz Holding. Under the shareholders’ agreement, unless and until Heinz Holding engages in a public offering, Berkshire and 3G each must approve all significant transactions and governance matters involving Heinz Holding and Heinz so long as Berkshire and 3G each continue to hold at least 66% of their initial common stock investments, except for (i) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Preferred Stock, and actions related to a Heinz Holding call of the Preferred Stock, for which Berkshire does not have a vote or approval right, and (ii) redemption offerings and redemptions resulting therefrom, which may only be triggered by Berkshire. No dividends may be paid on the common stock if there are any unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock.
	We account for our investments in Heinz Holding common stock and common stock warrants on the equity method. Accordingly, we included our proportionate share of Heinz Holding’s net earnings attributable to common stockholders and other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. We account for our investment in Preferred Stock as an equity investment and it is carried at cost in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Dividends earned in connection with the Preferred Stock and our share of Heinz Holding’s net earnings attributable to common stockholders are included in interest, dividend and other investment income of Insurance and Other in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
	Summarized consolidated financial information of Heinz Holding and its subsidiaries follows (in millions).
			March 30,			December 29,
			2014			2013
	Assets		$	38,962		$	38,972
	Liabilities			22,461			22,429
			First
			quarter
			2014
	Sales		$	2,800
	Net earnings		$	195
	Preferred stock dividends earned by Berkshire			(180	)
	Net earnings attributable to common stockholders		$	15
	Earnings attributable to Berkshire *		$	188
	*	Includes dividends earned plus Berkshire’s share of net earnings attributable to common stockholders.

Investment_gainslosses

Investment gains/losses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investment gains/losses	'
	Note 8. Investment gains/losses
	Investment gains/losses are summarized below (in millions).
		First Quarter
		2014			2013
	Fixed maturity securities —
	Gross gains from sales and other disposals	$	190		$	15
	Gross losses from sales and other disposals		(29	)		(54	)
	Equity securities —
	Gross gains from sales and other disposals		1,004			109
	Gross losses from sales and other disposals		—			(1	)
	Other-than-temporary impairments		(19	)		(85	)
	Other		(15	)		521
		$	1,131		$	505
	Investment gains/losses are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as follows.
	Insurance and other	$	1,059		$	434
	Finance and financial products		72			71
		$	1,131		$	505
	Gains from disposals of equity securities in the first quarter of 2014 included a non-cash holding gain of $949 million realized on the exchange of PSX common stock in connection with the acquisition of PSPI, which was completed February 25, 2014. The holding gain represents the excess of the fair value of the PSX stock exchanged over its cost basis. See Note 3.
	We record investments in equity and fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale at fair value and record the difference between fair value and cost in other comprehensive income. Other-than-temporary impairment charges recognized in earnings with respect to such investments represent reductions in the cost basis of the investments, but not the carrying values. Accordingly, these charges are offset by a corresponding credit to other comprehensive income and therefore have no net effect on shareholders’ equity as of the balance sheet date.

Receivables

Receivables	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Receivables	'
	Note 9. Receivables
	Receivables of insurance and other businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Insurance premiums receivable	$	8,725		$	7,474
	Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses		3,196			3,055
	Trade and other receivables		11,148			10,111
	Allowances for uncollectible accounts		(352	)		(360	)
		$	22,717		$	20,280
	Loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables	$	12,807		$	13,170
	Allowances for uncollectible loans		(343	)		(344	)
		$	12,464		$	12,826
	Consumer installment loans represented approximately 98% and 95% of the aggregate consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Allowances for uncollectible loans predominantly related to consumer installment loans. Provisions for loan losses for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 were $46 million and $66 million, respectively and loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, were $47 million in 2014 and $78 million in 2013. The carrying values of loans were net of unamortized acquisition discounts of $321 million at March 31, 2014 and $406 million at December 31, 2013. At March 31, 2014, approximately 97% of the loan balances were evaluated collectively for impairment, and the remainder was evaluated individually for impairment. As a part of the evaluation process, credit quality indicators are reviewed and loans are designated as performing or non-performing. At March 31, 2014, approximately 98% of the loan balances were determined to be performing and approximately 95% of those balances were current as to payment status.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventories	'
	Note 10. Inventories
	Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	1,828	$	1,755
	Work in process and other		872		842
	Finished manufactured goods		3,430		3,206
	Goods acquired for resale		4,115		4,057
		$	10,245	$	9,860

Property_plant_and_equipment_a

Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease	'
	Note 11. Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease
	A summary of property, plant and equipment of our insurance and other businesses follows (in millions).
		Ranges of	March 31,		December 31,
		estimated useful life	2014		2013
	Land	—	$	1,104	$	1,098
	Buildings and improvements	2 – 40 years		6,308		6,244
	Machinery and equipment	3 – 25 years		16,136		15,984
	Furniture, fixtures and other	2 – 15 years		2,924		2,748
				26,472		26,074
	Accumulated depreciation			-12,674		-12,451
			$	13,798	$	13,623
	Depreciation expense of insurance and other businesses for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 was $397 million and $400 million, respectively.
	A summary of property, plant and equipment of our railroad and our utilities and energy businesses follows (in millions).
		Ranges of	March 31,		December 31,
		estimated useful life	2014		2013
	Railroad:
	Land	—	$	5,973	$	5,973
	Track structure and other roadway	5 – 100 years		40,525		40,098
	Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment	5 – 40 years		7,996		7,551
	Construction in progress	—		971		973
	Utilities and energy:
	Utility generation, distribution and transmission system	5 – 80 years		57,903		57,490
	Interstate pipeline assets	3 – 80 years		6,498		6,448
	Independent power plants and other assets	3 – 30 years		2,999		2,516
	Construction in progress	—		4,247		4,217
				127,112		125,266
	Accumulated depreciation			-23,604		(22,784	)
			$	103,508	$	102,482
	Railroad property, plant and equipment includes the land, other roadway, track structure and rolling stock (primarily locomotives and freight cars) of BNSF. The utility generation, distribution and transmission system and interstate pipeline assets are the regulated assets of public utility and natural gas pipeline subsidiaries. Depreciation expense of the railroad, utilities and energy businesses for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 was $947 million and $795 million, respectively.
	Assets held for lease and other property, plant and equipment of our finance and financial products businesses are summarized below (in millions).
		Ranges of	March 31,		December 31,
		estimated useful life	2014		2013
	Assets held for lease	6 – 30 years	$	9,651	$	9,509
	Land	—		232		233
	Buildings, machinery and other	3 – 50 years		1,159		1,146
				11,042		10,888
	Accumulated depreciation			-3,268		(3,188	)
			$	7,774	$	7,700
	Depreciation expense of the finance and financial products businesses for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 was $148 million and $142 million, respectively.

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_

Goodwill and other intangible assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and other intangible assets	'
	Note 12. Goodwill and other intangible assets
	A reconciliation of the change in the carrying value of goodwill is as follows (in millions).
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	57,011	$	54,523
	Acquisitions of businesses		1,236		2,732
	Other, including foreign currency translation		17		(244	)
	Balance at end of period	$	58,264	$	57,011
	Intangible assets other than goodwill are included in other assets and are summarized as follows (in millions).
		March 31, 2014					December 31, 2013
		Gross carrying		Accumulated			Gross carrying		Accumulated
		amount		amortization			amount		amortization
	Insurance and other	$	12,924	$	3,936		$	11,923	$	3,723
	Railroad, utilities and energy		2,214		1,309			2,214		1,231
		$	15,138	$	5,245		$	14,137	$	4,954
	Trademarks and trade names	$	2,988	$	365		$	2,750	$	340
	Patents and technology		5,667		2,771			5,173		2,626
	Customer relationships		4,880		1,618			4,690		1,518
	Other		1,603		491			1,524		470
		$	15,138	$	5,245		$	14,137	$	4,954
	Amortization expense was $280 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $264 million for the first quarter of 2013. Intangible assets with indefinite lives as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $2,457 million and $2,221 million, respectively.

Derivative_contracts

Derivative contracts	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative contracts	'
	Note 13. Derivative contracts
	Derivative contracts have been entered into primarily by our finance and financial products and our energy businesses. Substantially all of the derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses are not designated as hedges for financial reporting purposes. Changes in the fair values of such contracts are reported in earnings as derivative gains/losses. We entered into these contracts with the expectation that the premiums received would exceed the amounts ultimately paid to counterparties. A summary of derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses follows (in millions).
			March 31, 2014									December 31, 2013
			Assets			Liabilities			Notional			Assets		Liabilities		Notional
									Value							Value
	Equity index put options		$	—		$	4,800		$	32,225	(1)	$	—	$	4,667	$	32,095	(1)
	Credit default			—			275			7,792	(2)		—		648		7,792	(2)
	Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency			—			20						—		16
			$	—		$	5,095					$	—	$	5,331
	(1)	Represents the aggregate undiscounted amount payable at the contract expiration dates assuming that the value of the related index is zero at each contract’s expiration date.
	(2)	Represents the maximum undiscounted future value of losses payable under the contracts, if all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.
	Derivative gains/losses of our finance and financial products businesses included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).
			First Quarter
			2014			2013
	Equity index put options		$	(132	)	$	1,246
	Credit default			373			(14	)
	Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency			(5	)		(26	)
			$	236		$	1,206
	We have written no new equity index put option contracts since February 2008. The contracts currently outstanding are European style options written on four major equity indexes. Future payments, if any, under any given contract will be required if the underlying index value is below the strike price at the contract expiration date. We received the premiums on these contracts in full at the contract inception dates and therefore have no counterparty credit risk.
	The aggregate intrinsic value (which is the undiscounted liability assuming the contracts are settled based on the index values and foreign currency exchange rates as of the balance sheet date) of our equity index put option contracts was approximately $1.6 billion at March 31, 2014 and $1.7 billion at December 31, 2013. However, these contracts may not be unilaterally terminated or fully settled before the expiration dates which occur between June 2018 and January 2026. Therefore, the ultimate amount of cash basis gains or losses on these contracts will not be determined for many years. The remaining weighted average life of all contracts was approximately 6.75 years at March 31, 2014.
	Our remaining credit default contract relates to approximately 500 municipal debt issues with maturities ranging from 2019 to 2054 and has an aggregate notional value of approximately $7.8 billion. The underlying debt issues have a weighted average maturity of approximately 17.5 years. Pursuant to the contract terms, future loss payments, if any, cannot be settled before the maturity dates of the underlying obligations. We have no counterparty credit risk under this contract because all premiums were received at the inception of the contract.
	A limited number of our equity index put option contracts contain collateral posting requirements with respect to changes in the fair value or intrinsic value of the contracts and/or a downgrade of Berkshire’s credit ratings. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 we did not have any collateral posting requirements. If Berkshire’s credit ratings (currently AA from Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 from Moody’s) are downgraded below either A- by Standard & Poor’s or A3 by Moody’s, additional collateral of up to $1.1 billion could be required to be posted.
	Our regulated utility subsidiaries are exposed to variations in the prices of fuel required to generate electricity, wholesale electricity purchased and sold and natural gas supplied for customers. Derivative instruments, including forward purchases and sales, futures, swaps and options, are used to manage a portion of these price risks. Derivative contract assets are included in other assets of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $93 million and $87 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Derivative contract liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $160 million and $208 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Unrealized gains and losses under the contracts of our regulated utilities that are probable of recovery through rates are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities. Unrealized gains or losses on contracts accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income or in net earnings, as appropriate.

Supplemental_cash_flow_informa

Supplemental cash flow information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental cash flow information	'
	Note 14. Supplemental cash flow information
	A summary of supplemental cash flow information for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 is presented in the following table (in millions).
		First Quarter
		2014		2013
	Cash paid during the period for:
	Income taxes	$	283	$	241
	Interest:
	Insurance and other businesses		139		119
	Railroad, utilities and energy businesses		678		505
	Finance and financial products businesses		102		139
	Investments in equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisition		1,350		—
	Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions		567		—

Notes_payable_and_other_borrow

Notes payable and other borrowings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Notes payable and other borrowings	'
	Note 15. Notes payable and other borrowings
	Notes payable and other borrowings are summarized below (in millions). The weighted average interest rates and maturity date ranges shown in the following tables are based on borrowings as of March 31, 2014.
		Weighted		March 31,		December 31,
		Average		2014		2013
		Interest Rate
	Insurance and other:
	Issued by Berkshire due 2014-2047		2.70%	$	8,305	$	8,311
	Short-term subsidiary borrowings		0.30%		978		949
	Other subsidiary borrowings due 2014-2035		6.00%		3,165		3,180
				$	12,448	$	12,440
		Weighted		March 31,		December 31,
		Average		2014		2013
		Interest Rate
	Railroad, utilities and energy:
	Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Energy and its subsidiaries:
	Berkshire Hathaway Energy senior unsecured debt due 2017-2043		5.70%	$	6,366	$	6,616
	Subsidiary and other debt due 2014-2043		5.30%		23,436		23,033
	Issued by BNSF due 2014-2097		5.20%		17,949		17,006
				$	47,751	$	46,655
	Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary debt represents amounts issued pursuant to separate financing agreements. All, or substantially all, of the assets of certain Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiaries are, or may be, pledged or encumbered to support or otherwise secure the debt. These borrowing arrangements generally contain various covenants including, but not limited to, leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and debt service coverage ratios. In the first quarter of 2014, Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiaries issued term debt of $425 million.
	In March 2014, BNSF issued $500 million of 3.75% debentures due in 2024 and $1.0 billion of 4.9% debentures due in 2044. BNSF’s borrowings are primarily unsecured. As of March 31, 2014, BNSF and Berkshire Hathaway Energy and their subsidiaries were in compliance with all applicable debt covenants. Berkshire does not guarantee any debt or other borrowings of BNSF, Berkshire Hathaway Energy or their subsidiaries.
		Weighted		March 31,		December 31,
		Average		2014		2013
		Interest Rate
	Finance and financial products:
	Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2014-2043		3.30%	$	11,177	$	11,178
	Issued by other subsidiaries due 2014-2036		4.90%		1,847		1,951
				$	13,024	$	13,129
	The borrowings of BHFC, a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Berkshire, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Berkshire. In January 2014, $750 million of BHFC senior notes matured and BHFC issued $750 million of new senior notes to replace maturing notes. The new senior notes consisted of $650 million of floating rate notes due in 2017 and $100 million of 2% notes due in 2018.
	Our subsidiaries have approximately $6.2 billion in the aggregate of unused lines of credit and commercial paper capacity at March 31, 2014, to support short-term borrowing programs and provide additional liquidity. In addition to borrowings of BHFC, Berkshire guaranteed other subsidiary borrowings, which aggregated approximately $4.0 billion at March 31, 2014. Generally, Berkshire’s guarantee of a subsidiary’s debt obligation is an absolute, unconditional and irrevocable guarantee for the full and prompt payment when due of all present and future payment obligations.

Fair_value_measurements

Fair value measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair value measurements	'
	Note 16. Fair value measurements
	Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities are considered to be reasonable estimates of their fair values.
			Carrying				Fair Value					Quoted			Significant Other			Significant
			Value									Prices			Observable Inputs			Unobservable Inputs
												(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	31-Mar-14
	Investments in fixed maturity securities:
	U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies			$	2,935			$	2,935				$	2,366		$	569		$	—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions				2,185				2,185					—			2,185			—
	Foreign governments				12,337				12,337					7,344			4,993			—
	Corporate bonds				10,114				10,128					—			9,139			989
	Mortgage-backed securities				1,987				1,987					—			1,987			—
	Investments in equity securities				118,486				118,486					118,418			61			7
	Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock				7,710				8,296					—			—			8,296
	Other investments				19,143				19,143					—			—			19,143
	Loans and finance receivables				12,464				11,561					—			62			11,499
	Derivative contract assets (1)				93				93					4			33			56
	Derivative contract liabilities:
	Railroad, utilities and energy (1)				160				160					—			117			43
	Finance and financial products:
	Equity index put options				4,800				4,800					—			—			4,800
	Credit default				275				275					—			—			275
	Notes payable and other borrowings:
	Insurance and other				12,448				12,842					—			12,842			—
	Railroad, utilities and energy				47,751				52,281					—			52,281			—
	Finance and financial products				13,024				13,554					—			12,920			634
	31-Dec-13
	Investments in fixed maturity securities:
	U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies			$	2,658			$	2,658				$	2,184		$	473		$	1
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions				2,345				2,345					—			2,345			—
	Foreign governments				11,073				11,073					7,467			3,606			—
	Corporate bonds				11,237				11,254					—			10,187			1,067
	Mortgage-backed securities				2,040				2,040					—			2,040			—
	Investments in equity securities				117,505				117,505					117,438			60			7
	Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock				7,710				7,971					—			—			7,971
	Other investments				17,951				17,951					—			—			17,951
	Loans and finance receivables				12,826				12,002					—			454			11,548
	Derivative contract assets (1)				87				87					3			15			69
	Derivative contract liabilities:
	Railroad, utilities and energy (1)				208				208					1			198			9
	Finance and financial products:
	Equity index put options				4,667				4,667					—			—			4,667
	Credit default				648				648					—			—			648
	Notes payable and other borrowings:
	Insurance and other				12,440				12,655					—			12,655			—
	Railroad, utilities and energy				46,655				49,879					—			49,879			—
	Finance and financial products				13,129				13,505					—			12,846			659
	-1	Assets are included in other assets and liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities.
	The fair values of substantially all of our financial instruments were measured using market or income approaches. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the fair values presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in an actual current market exchange. The use of alternative market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value. The hierarchy for measuring fair value consists of Levels 1 through 3, which are described below.
	Level 1 – Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in active markets.
	Level 2 – Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs) such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities exchanged in active or inactive markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in inactive markets; other inputs that may be considered in fair value determinations of the assets or liabilities, such as interest rates and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Pricing evaluations generally reflect discounted expected future cash flows, which incorporate yield curves for instruments with similar characteristics, such as credit ratings, estimated durations and yields for other instruments of the issuer or entities in the same industry sector.
	Level 3 – Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets and liabilities. Management is required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs because there is little, if any, market activity in the assets or liabilities and we may be unable to corroborate the related observable inputs. Unobservable inputs require management to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in pricing assets or liabilities.
	Reconciliations of assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ending March 31, 2014 and 2013 follow (in millions).
			Investments			Investments				Net
			in fixed			in equity				derivative
			maturity			securities				contract
			securities			and other				liabilities
						investments
	Three months ending March 31, 2014
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	372		$	17,958			$	(5,255	)
	Gains (losses) included in:
	Earnings			—			—				222
	Other comprehensive income			—			1,192				3
Regulatory assets and liabilities			—			—				2
Dispositions and settlements			(1	)		—				—
Transfers into (out of) Level 3			(56	)		—				(35	)
Balance at March 31, 2014		$	315		$	19,150			$	(5,063	)
Three months ending March 31, 2013
Balance at December 31, 2012		$	652		$	15,785			$	(7,847	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings			—			520				1,235
Other comprehensive income			(2	)		399				(3	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities			—			—				1
Dispositions and settlements			(1	)		—				(27	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3			—			—				—
Balance at March 31, 2013		$	649		$	16,704			$	(6,641	)
Gains and losses included in earnings are included as components of investment gains/losses, derivative gains/losses and other revenues, as appropriate and are primarily related to changes in the values of derivative contracts and settlement transactions. Gains and losses included in other comprehensive income are included as components of the net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and the reclassification of investment appreciation in earnings, as appropriate in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Quantitative information as of March 31, 2014, with respect to assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) follows (in millions).
		Fair			Principal valuation		Unobservable Inputs		Weighted
		value			techniques				Average
Other investments:
Preferred stocks		$	12,297		Discounted cash flow		Expected duration		6 years
							Discount for transferability		97 basis points
							restrictions and subordination
Common stock warrants			6,846		Warrant pricing model		Discount for transferability		8%
							and hedging restrictions
Net derivative liabilities:
Equity index put options			4,800		Option pricing model		Volatility		20%
Credit default-states/municipalities			275		Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		48 basis points
Other investments currently consist of investments that were acquired in a few relatively large private placement transactions and include preferred stocks and common stock warrants. These investments are subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and/or provisions that prevent us from economically hedging our investments. In applying discounted estimated cash flow techniques in valuing the perpetual preferred stocks, we made assumptions regarding the expected durations of the investments, as the issuers may have the right to redeem or convert these investments. We also made estimates regarding the impact of subordination, as the preferred stocks have a lower priority in liquidation than debt instruments of the issuers, which affected the discount rates used. In valuing the common stock warrants, we used a warrant valuation model. While most of the inputs to the model are observable, we are subject to the aforementioned contractual restrictions. We have applied discounts with respect to the contractual restrictions. Increases or decreases to these inputs would result in decreases or increases to the fair values of the investments.
Our equity index put option and credit default contracts are not exchange traded and certain contract terms are not standard in derivatives markets. For example, we are not required to post collateral under most of our contracts and many contracts have long durations, and therefore are illiquid. For these and other reasons, we classified these contracts as Level 3. The methods we use to value these contracts are those that we believe market participants would use in determining exchange prices with respect to our contracts.
We value equity index put option contracts based on the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Inputs to this model include current index price, contract duration, dividend and interest rate inputs (including a Berkshire non-performance input) which are observable. However, we believe that the valuation of long-duration options using any model is inherently subjective, given the lack of observable transactions and prices, and acceptable values may be subject to wide ranges. Expected volatility inputs represent our expectations after considering the remaining duration of each contract and that the contracts will remain outstanding until the expiration dates without offsetting transactions occurring in the interim. Increases or decreases in the volatility inputs will produce increases or decreases in the fair values of the liabilities.

Common_stock

Common stock	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Common stock	'
	Note 17. Common stock
	Changes in Berkshire’s issued and outstanding common stock during the first quarter of 2014 are shown in the table below.
		Class A, $5 Par Value									Class B, $0.0033 Par Value
		(1,650,000 shares authorized)									(3,225,000,000 shares authorized)
		Issued			Treasury			Outstanding			Issued		Treasury			Outstanding
	Balance at December 31, 2013		868,616			(9,573	)		859,043			1,178,775,092		(1,408,484	)		1,177,366,608
	Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition		(1,443	)		—			(1,443	)		2,666,267		—			2,666,267
	Balance at March 31, 2014		867,173			(9,573	)		857,600			1,181,441,359		(1,408,484	)		1,180,032,875
	Each Class A common share is entitled to one vote per share. Class B common stock possesses dividend and distribution rights equal to one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of such rights of Class A common stock. Each Class B common share possesses voting rights equivalent to one-ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of the voting rights of a Class A share. Unless otherwise required under Delaware General Corporation Law, Class A and Class B common shares vote as a single class. Each share of Class A common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into 1,500 shares of Class B common stock. Class B common stock is not convertible into Class A common stock. On an equivalent Class A common stock basis, there were 1,644,289 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and 1,643,954 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2013. In addition to our common stock, 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock are authorized, but none are issued and outstanding.
	In September 2011, Berkshire’s Board of Directors (“Berkshire’s Board”) approved a common stock repurchase program under which Berkshire may repurchase its Class A and Class B shares at prices no higher than a 10% premium over the book value of the shares. In December 2012, Berkshire’s Board amended the repurchase program by raising the price limit to no higher than a 20% premium over book value. Berkshire may repurchase shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Berkshire’s Board authorization does not specify a maximum number of shares to be repurchased. However, repurchases will not be made if they would reduce Berkshire’s consolidated cash equivalent holdings below $20 billion. The repurchase program is expected to continue indefinitely and the amount of repurchases will depend entirely upon the level of cash available, the attractiveness of investment and business opportunities either at hand or on the horizon, and the degree of discount of the market price relative to management’s estimate of intrinsic value. The repurchase program does not obligate Berkshire to repurchase any dollar amount or number of Class A or Class B shares and there is no expiration date to the program. There were no share purchases in the first three months of 2014.

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv

Accumulated other comprehensive income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	Note 18. Accumulated other comprehensive income
	A summary of the net changes in after-tax accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders and significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ending March 31, 2014 and 2013 follows (in millions).
		Unrealized			Foreign			Prior service			Other			Accumulated
		appreciation of			currency			and actuarial						other
		investments, net			translation			gains/losses of						comprehensive
								defined benefit						income
								pension plans
	Three months ending March 31, 2014
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	44,042		$	(146	)	$	46		$	83		$	44,025
	Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		1,674			24			(7	)		18			1,709
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(677	)		—			14			(22	)		(685	)
			997			24			7			(4	)		1,024
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	45,039		$	(122	)	$	53		$	79		$	45,049
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings during 2014 are included on the following line items:
	Investment gains/losses:
	Insurance and other	$	(969	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(969	)
	Finance and financial products		(72	)		—			—			—			(72	)
	Other		—			—			18			(37	)		(19	)
	Reclassifications before income taxes		(1,041	)		—			18			(37	)		(1,060	)
	Applicable income taxes		(364	)		—			4			(15	)		(375	)
		$	(677	)	$	—		$	14		$	(22	)	$	(685	)
	Three months ending March 31, 2013
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	29,254		$	(120	)	$	(1,601	)	$	(33	)	$	27,500
	Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		6,308			(560	)		24			12			5,784
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(328	)		—			34			2			(292	)
			5,980			(560	)		58			14			5,492
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	35,234		$	(680	)	$	(1,543	)	$	(19	)	$	32,992
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings during 2013 are included on the following line items:
	Investment gains/losses:
	Insurance and other	$	(436	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(436	)
	Finance and financial products		(68	)		—			—			—			(68	)
	Other		—			—			46			3			49
	Reclassifications before income taxes		(504	)		—			46			3			(455	)
	Applicable income taxes		(176	)		—			12			1			(163	)
		$	(328	)	$	—		$	34		$	2		$	(292	)

Contingencies_and_Commitments

Contingencies and Commitments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Contingencies and Commitments	'
	Note 19. Contingencies and Commitments
	We are parties in a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. In particular, such legal actions affect our insurance and reinsurance businesses. Such litigation generally seeks to establish liability directly through insurance contracts or indirectly through reinsurance contracts issued by Berkshire subsidiaries. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. We do not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. Berkshire and certain of its subsidiaries are also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines and penalties. We believe that any liability that may arise as a result of other pending legal actions will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
	Berkshire owns a 50% interest in a joint venture, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage (“Berkadia”) and affiliates, with Leucadia National Corporation (“Leucadia”) having the other 50% interest. Berkadia is a servicer of commercial real estate loans in the U.S., performing primary, master and special servicing functions for U.S. government agency programs, commercial mortgage-backed securities transactions, banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. A significant source of funding for Berkadia’s operations is through its issuance of commercial paper. Repayment of the commercial paper is supported by a $2.5 billion surety policy issued by a Berkshire insurance subsidiary. Leucadia has agreed to indemnify Berkshire for one-half of any losses incurred under the policy. As of March 31, 2014, the aggregate amount of Berkadia commercial paper outstanding was $2.47 billion.
	On May 1, 2014, Berkshire Hathaway Energy entered into a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% of AltaLink, L.P. (“AltaLink”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. for an estimated cash purchase price of C$3.2 billion (approximately US$2.9 billion). We currently expect that the acquisition will be funded with a combination of cash and new Berkshire Hathaway Energy senior unsecured debt. AltaLink is a regulated transmission-only business, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including required approvals, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

Business_segment_data

Business segment data	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business segment data	'
	Note 20. Business segment data
	Revenues by segment for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).
		First Quarter
		2014			2013
	Operating Businesses:
	Insurance group:
	Premiums earned:
	GEICO	$	4,884		$	4,399
	General Re		1,557			1,469
	Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		2,022			2,796
	Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		953			713
	Investment income		951			1,001
	Total insurance group		10,367			10,378
	BNSF		5,447			5,284
	Finance and financial products		1,435			1,373
	Manufacturing businesses		8,641			8,161
	McLane Company		10,454			10,785
	Berkshire Hathaway Energy		4,306			3,116
	Other businesses		3,358			3,091
			44,008			42,188
	Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
	Investment and derivative gains/losses		1,367			1,711
	Eliminations and other		78			(32	)
		$	45,453		$	43,867
	Earnings before income taxes by segment for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).
		First Quarter
		2014			2013
	Operating Businesses:
	Insurance group:
	Underwriting gain (loss):
	GEICO	$	353		$	266
	General Re		80			95
	Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		183			974
	Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		99			54
	Net investment income		946			996
	Total insurance group		1,661			2,385
	BNSF		1,169			1,289
	Finance and financial products		372			296
	Manufacturing businesses		1,068			948
	McLane Company		115			132
	Berkshire Hathaway Energy		619			553
	Other businesses		287			282
			5,291			5,885
	Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
	Investment and derivative gains/losses		1,367			1,711
	Interest expense, excluding interest allocated to operating businesses		(77	)		(72	)
	Eliminations and other		17			(229	)
		$	6,598		$	7,295

New_accounting_pronouncements_

New accounting pronouncements (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
New accounting pronouncements	'
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date.” ASU 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date as the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay plus additional amounts the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. ASU 2013-04 became effective as of January 1, 2014.
	In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01 “Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Tax Credits.” ASU 2014-01 permits an entity to elect the proportional amortization method of accounting for limited liability investments in qualified affordable housing projects if certain criteria are met. Under the proportional amortization method, the investment is amortized in proportion to the tax benefits received and the amortization charge is reported as a component of income tax expense. We adopted ASU 2014-01 for eligible investments as of January 1, 2014. The adoption of these accounting pronouncements had an immaterial effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08 “Reporting of Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” ASU 2014-08 provides a narrower definition of discontinued operations than under existing U.S. GAAP. ASU 2014-08 requires that only disposals of components of an entity (or groups of components) that represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the reporting entity’s operations are reported in the financial statements as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also provides guidance on the financial statement presentations and disclosures of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for disposals (or classifications of held-for-sale) of components of an entity that occur in annual or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014.

Significant_business_acquisiti1

Significant business acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'
	The preliminary values of NV Energy’s identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed and residual goodwill at the date of acquisition are summarized as follows (in millions).
		19-Dec-13
	Property, plant and equipment		$	9,550
	Goodwill			2,362
	Other assets, including cash of $304 million			2,481
	Assets acquired		$	14,393
	Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		$	3,455
	Notes payable and other borrowings			5,342
	Liabilities assumed		$	8,797
	Net assets acquired		$	5,596
Schedule of pro forma consolidated earnings data	'
	The following table sets forth certain unaudited pro forma consolidated earnings data for the first three months of 2013 (in millions, except per share amounts).
	Revenues	$	44,685
	Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		4,924
	Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		2,997

Investments_in_fixed_maturity_1

Investments in fixed maturity securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of investments in securities with fixed maturities	'
	Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized by type below (in millions).
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair		Carrying
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Value		Value
	31-Mar-14
	Available for sale:
	U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,926	$	16	$	(7	)	$	2,935	$	2,935
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,074		113		(2	)		2,185		2,185
	Foreign governments		12,201		221		(85	)		12,337		12,337
	Corporate bonds		8,213		1,245		(4	)		9,454		9,454
	Mortgage-backed securities		1,769		224		(6	)		1,987		1,987
			27,183		1,819		(104	)		28,898		28,898
	Held to maturity:
	Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company notes		660		14		—			674		660
		$	27,843	$	1,833	$	(104	)	$	29,572	$	29,558
	31-Dec-13
	Available for sale:
	U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,650	$	16	$	(8	)	$	2,658	$	2,658
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,221		129		(5	)		2,345		2,345
	Foreign governments		11,001		182		(110	)		11,073		11,073
	Corporate bonds		9,383		1,190		(15	)		10,558		10,558
	Mortgage-backed securities		1,830		218		(8	)		2,040		2,040
			27,085		1,735		(146	)		28,674		28,674
	Held to maturity:
	Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company notes		679		17		—			696		679
		$	27,764	$	1,752	$	(146	)	$	29,370	$	29,353
	Investments in fixed maturity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Insurance and other	$	29,101		$28,785
	Finance and financial products		457		568
		$	29,558		$29,353
Schedule of amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities	'
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities at March 31, 2014 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers of certain of the securities retain early call or prepayment rights. Amounts are in millions.
		Due in one		Due after one		Due after five			Due after		Mortgage-		Total
		year or less		year through		years through			ten years		backed
				five years		ten years					securities
	Amortized cost	$	7,986	$	12,704	$	2,587		$	2,797	$	1,769	$	27,843
	Fair value		8,069		13,431		2,864			3,221		1,987		29,572

Investments_in_equity_securiti1

Investments in equity securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of investments in equity securities	'
	Investments in equity securities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized based on the primary industry of the investee in the table below (in millions).
			Cost Basis		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
					Gains		Losses			Value
	March 31, 2014 *
	Banks, insurance and finance		$	22,410	$	30,042	$	(7	)	$	52,445
	Consumer products			7,083		16,652		(1	)		23,734
	Commercial, industrial and other			30,695		11,888		(276	)		42,307
			$	60,188	$	58,582	$	(284	)	$	118,486
	*	As of March 31, 2014, approximately 56% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $13.6 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $24.0 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $13.2 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $15.5 billion).
			Cost Basis		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
					Gains		Losses			Value
	December 31, 2013 *
	Banks, insurance and finance		$	22,420	$	28,021	$	—		$	50,441
	Consumer products			7,082		17,854		—			24,936
	Commercial, industrial and other			29,949		12,322		(143	)		42,128
			$	59,451	$	58,197	$	(143	)	$	117,505
	*	As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $16.5 billion).
	Investments in equity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).
			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Insurance and other		$	116,160	$	115,464
	Railroad, utilities and energy *			1,391		1,103
	Finance and financial products			935		938
			$	118,486	$	117,505
	*	Included in other assets.

Investments_in_HJ_Heinz_Holdin1

Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Summarized consolidated financial information of Heinz Holding and its subsidiaries	'
	Summarized consolidated financial information of Heinz Holding and its subsidiaries follows (in millions).
			March 30,			December 29,
			2014			2013
	Assets		$	38,962		$	38,972
	Liabilities			22,461			22,429
			First
			quarter
			2014
	Sales		$	2,800
	Net earnings		$	195
	Preferred stock dividends earned by Berkshire			(180	)
	Net earnings attributable to common stockholders		$	15
	Earnings attributable to Berkshire *		$	188
	*	Includes dividends earned plus Berkshire’s share of net earnings attributable to common stockholders.

Investment_gainslosses_Tables

Investment gains/losses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investment gains/losses, including other-than-temporary impairment losses	'
	Investment gains/losses are summarized below (in millions).
		First Quarter
		2014			2013
	Fixed maturity securities —
	Gross gains from sales and other disposals	$	190		$	15
	Gross losses from sales and other disposals		(29	)		(54	)
	Equity securities —
	Gross gains from sales and other disposals		1,004			109
	Gross losses from sales and other disposals		—			(1	)
	Other-than-temporary impairments		(19	)		(85	)
	Other		(15	)		521
		$	1,131		$	505
	Investment gains/losses are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as follows.
	Insurance and other	$	1,059		$	434
	Finance and financial products		72			71
		$	1,131		$	505

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]	'
Schedule of receivables	'
	Receivables of insurance and other businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Insurance premiums receivable	$	8,725		$	7,474
	Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses		3,196			3,055
	Trade and other receivables		11,148			10,111
	Allowances for uncollectible accounts		(352	)		(360	)
		$	22,717		$	20,280
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'
Schedule of receivables	'
	Loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables	$	12,807		$	13,170
	Allowances for uncollectible loans		(343	)		(344	)
		$	12,464		$	12,826

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of inventories	'
	Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	1,828	$	1,755
	Work in process and other		872		842
	Finished manufactured goods		3,430		3,206
	Goods acquired for resale		4,115		4,057
		$	10,245	$	9,860

Property_plant_and_equipment_a1

Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]	'
Schedule of property, plant and equipment	'
	A summary of property, plant and equipment of our insurance and other businesses follows (in millions).
		Ranges of	March 31,		December 31,
		estimated useful life	2014		2013
	Land	—	$	1,104	$	1,098
	Buildings and improvements	2 – 40 years		6,308		6,244
	Machinery and equipment	3 – 25 years		16,136		15,984
	Furniture, fixtures and other	2 – 15 years		2,924		2,748
				26,472		26,074
	Accumulated depreciation			-12,674		-12,451
			$	13,798	$	13,623
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'
Schedule of property, plant and equipment	'
	A summary of property, plant and equipment of our railroad and our utilities and energy businesses follows (in millions).
		Ranges of	March 31,		December 31,
		estimated useful life	2014		2013
	Railroad:
	Land	—	$	5,973	$	5,973
	Track structure and other roadway	5 – 100 years		40,525		40,098
	Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment	5 – 40 years		7,996		7,551
	Construction in progress	—		971		973
	Utilities and energy:
	Utility generation, distribution and transmission system	5 – 80 years		57,903		57,490
	Interstate pipeline assets	3 – 80 years		6,498		6,448
	Independent power plants and other assets	3 – 30 years		2,999		2,516
	Construction in progress	—		4,247		4,217
				127,112		125,266
	Accumulated depreciation			-23,604		(22,784	)
			$	103,508	$	102,482
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'
Schedule of property, plant and equipment	'
	Assets held for lease and other property, plant and equipment of our finance and financial products businesses are summarized below (in millions).
		Ranges of	March 31,		December 31,
		estimated useful life	2014		2013
	Assets held for lease	6 – 30 years	$	9,651	$	9,509
	Land	—		232		233
	Buildings, machinery and other	3 – 50 years		1,159		1,146
				11,042		10,888
	Accumulated depreciation			-3,268		(3,188	)
			$	7,774	$	7,700

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_1

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of the change in goodwill	'
	A reconciliation of the change in the carrying value of goodwill is as follows (in millions).
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	57,011	$	54,523
	Acquisitions of businesses		1,236		2,732
	Other, including foreign currency translation		17		(244	)
	Balance at end of period	$	58,264	$	57,011
Schedule of intangible assets	'
	Intangible assets other than goodwill are included in other assets and are summarized as follows (in millions).
		March 31, 2014					December 31, 2013
		Gross carrying		Accumulated			Gross carrying		Accumulated
		amount		amortization			amount		amortization
	Insurance and other	$	12,924	$	3,936		$	11,923	$	3,723
	Railroad, utilities and energy		2,214		1,309			2,214		1,231
		$	15,138	$	5,245		$	14,137	$	4,954
	Trademarks and trade names	$	2,988	$	365		$	2,750	$	340
	Patents and technology		5,667		2,771			5,173		2,626
	Customer relationships		4,880		1,618			4,690		1,518
	Other		1,603		491			1,524		470
		$	15,138	$	5,245		$	14,137	$	4,954

Derivative_contracts_Tables

Derivative contracts (Tables) (Finance and Financial Products [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'
Derivative contracts outstanding	'
	A summary of derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses follows (in millions).
			March 31, 2014									December 31, 2013
			Assets			Liabilities			Notional			Assets		Liabilities		Notional
									Value							Value
	Equity index put options		$	—		$	4,800		$	32,225	(1)	$	—	$	4,667	$	32,095	(1)
	Credit default			—			275			7,792	(2)		—		648		7,792	(2)
	Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency			—			20						—		16
			$	—		$	5,095					$	—	$	5,331
	(1)	Represents the aggregate undiscounted amount payable at the contract expiration dates assuming that the value of the related index is zero at each contract’s expiration date.
	(2)	Represents the maximum undiscounted future value of losses payable under the contracts, if all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.
Derivative gains/losses included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings	'
	Derivative gains/losses of our finance and financial products businesses included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).
			First Quarter
			2014			2013
	Equity index put options		$	(132	)	$	1,246
	Credit default			373			(14	)
	Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency			(5	)		(26	)
			$	236		$	1,206

Supplemental_cash_flow_informa1

Supplemental cash flow information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of supplemental cash flow information	'
	A summary of supplemental cash flow information for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 is presented in the following table (in millions).
		First Quarter
		2014		2013
	Cash paid during the period for:
	Income taxes	$	283	$	241
	Interest:
	Insurance and other businesses		139		119
	Railroad, utilities and energy businesses		678		505
	Finance and financial products businesses		102		139
	Investments in equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisition		1,350		—
	Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions		567		—

Notes_payable_and_other_borrow1

Notes payable and other borrowings (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]	'
Schedule of short and long term outstanding debt disclosure	'
	Notes payable and other borrowings are summarized below (in millions). The weighted average interest rates and maturity date ranges shown in the following tables are based on borrowings as of March 31, 2014.
		Weighted		March 31,		December 31,
		Average		2014		2013
		Interest Rate
	Insurance and other:
	Issued by Berkshire due 2014-2047		2.70%	$	8,305	$	8,311
	Short-term subsidiary borrowings		0.30%		978		949
	Other subsidiary borrowings due 2014-2035		6.00%		3,165		3,180
				$	12,448	$	12,440
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'
Schedule of short and long term outstanding debt disclosure	'
		Weighted		March 31,		December 31,
		Average		2014		2013
		Interest Rate
	Railroad, utilities and energy:
	Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Energy and its subsidiaries:
	Berkshire Hathaway Energy senior unsecured debt due 2017-2043		5.70%	$	6,366	$	6,616
	Subsidiary and other debt due 2014-2043		5.30%		23,436		23,033
	Issued by BNSF due 2014-2097		5.20%		17,949		17,006
				$	47,751	$	46,655
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'
Schedule of short and long term outstanding debt disclosure	'
		Weighted		March 31,		December 31,
		Average		2014		2013
		Interest Rate
	Finance and financial products:
	Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2014-2043		3.30%	$	11,177	$	11,178
	Issued by other subsidiaries due 2014-2036		4.90%		1,847		1,951
				$	13,024	$	13,129

Fair_value_measurements_Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities are considered to be reasonable estimates of their fair values.
			Carrying				Fair Value					Quoted			Significant Other			Significant
			Value									Prices			Observable Inputs			Unobservable Inputs
												(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	31-Mar-14
	Investments in fixed maturity securities:
	U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies			$	2,935			$	2,935				$	2,366		$	569		$	—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions				2,185				2,185					—			2,185			—
	Foreign governments				12,337				12,337					7,344			4,993			—
	Corporate bonds				10,114				10,128					—			9,139			989
	Mortgage-backed securities				1,987				1,987					—			1,987			—
	Investments in equity securities				118,486				118,486					118,418			61			7
	Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock				7,710				8,296					—			—			8,296
	Other investments				19,143				19,143					—			—			19,143
	Loans and finance receivables				12,464				11,561					—			62			11,499
	Derivative contract assets (1)				93				93					4			33			56
	Derivative contract liabilities:
	Railroad, utilities and energy (1)				160				160					—			117			43
	Finance and financial products:
	Equity index put options				4,800				4,800					—			—			4,800
	Credit default				275				275					—			—			275
	Notes payable and other borrowings:
	Insurance and other				12,448				12,842					—			12,842			—
	Railroad, utilities and energy				47,751				52,281					—			52,281			—
	Finance and financial products				13,024				13,554					—			12,920			634
	31-Dec-13
	Investments in fixed maturity securities:
	U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies			$	2,658			$	2,658				$	2,184		$	473		$	1
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions				2,345				2,345					—			2,345			—
	Foreign governments				11,073				11,073					7,467			3,606			—
	Corporate bonds				11,237				11,254					—			10,187			1,067
	Mortgage-backed securities				2,040				2,040					—			2,040			—
	Investments in equity securities				117,505				117,505					117,438			60			7
	Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock				7,710				7,971					—			—			7,971
	Other investments				17,951				17,951					—			—			17,951
	Loans and finance receivables				12,826				12,002					—			454			11,548
	Derivative contract assets (1)				87				87					3			15			69
	Derivative contract liabilities:
	Railroad, utilities and energy (1)				208				208					1			198			9
	Finance and financial products:
	Equity index put options				4,667				4,667					—			—			4,667
	Credit default				648				648					—			—			648
	Notes payable and other borrowings:
	Insurance and other				12,440				12,655					—			12,655			—
	Railroad, utilities and energy				46,655				49,879					—			49,879			—
	Finance and financial products				13,129				13,505					—			12,846			659
	-1	Assets are included in other assets and liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities.
Reconciliations of assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)	'
	Reconciliations of assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ending March 31, 2014 and 2013 follow (in millions).
			Investments			Investments				Net
			in fixed			in equity				derivative
			maturity			securities				contract
			securities			and other				liabilities
						investments
	Three months ending March 31, 2014
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	372		$	17,958			$	(5,255	)
	Gains (losses) included in:
	Earnings			—			—				222
	Other comprehensive income			—			1,192				3
	Regulatory assets and liabilities			—			—				2
	Dispositions and settlements			(1	)		—				—
	Transfers into (out of) Level 3			(56	)		—				(35	)
	Balance at March 31, 2014		$	315		$	19,150			$	(5,063	)
	Three months ending March 31, 2013
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	652		$	15,785			$	(7,847	)
	Gains (losses) included in:
	Earnings			—			520				1,235
	Other comprehensive income			(2	)		399				(3	)
	Regulatory assets and liabilities			—			—				1
	Dispositions and settlements			(1	)		—				(27	)
	Transfers into (out of) Level 3			—			—				—
	Balance at March 31, 2013		$	649		$	16,704			$	(6,641	)
Fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis, unobservable inputs, additional information	'
	Quantitative information as of March 31, 2014, with respect to assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) follows (in millions).
			Fair			Principal valuation		Unobservable Inputs		Weighted
			value			techniques				Average
	Other investments:
	Preferred stocks			$12,297		Discounted cash flow		Expected duration		6 years
								Discount for transferability restrictions and subordination		97 basis points
	Common stock warrants			6,846		Warrant pricing model		Discount for transferability and hedging restrictions		8%
	Net derivative liabilities:
	Equity index put options			4,800		Option pricing model		Volatility		20%
	Credit default-states/municipalities			275		Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		48 basis points

Common_stock_Tables

Common stock (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in issued and outstanding Berkshire common stock	'
	Changes in Berkshire’s issued and outstanding common stock during the first quarter of 2014 are shown in the table below.
		Class A, $5 Par Value									Class B, $0.0033 Par Value
		(1,650,000 shares authorized)									(3,225,000,000 shares authorized)
		Issued			Treasury			Outstanding			Issued		Treasury			Outstanding
	Balance at December 31, 2013		868,616			(9,573	)		859,043			1,178,775,092		(1,408,484	)		1,177,366,608
	Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition		(1,443	)		—			(1,443	)		2,666,267		—			2,666,267
	Balance at March 31, 2014		867,173			(9,573	)		857,600			1,181,441,359		(1,408,484	)		1,180,032,875

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv1

Accumulated other comprehensive income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	A summary of the net changes in after-tax accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders and significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ending March 31, 2014 and 2013 follows (in millions).
		Unrealized			Foreign			Prior service			Other			Accumulated
		appreciation of			currency			and actuarial						other
		investments, net			translation			gains/losses of						comprehensive
								defined benefit						income
								pension plans
	Three months ending March 31, 2014
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	44,042		$	(146	)	$	46		$	83		$	44,025
	Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		1,674			24			(7	)		18			1,709
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(677	)		—			14			(22	)		(685	)
			997			24			7			(4	)		1,024
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	45,039		$	(122	)	$	53		$	79		$	45,049
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings during 2014 are included on the following line items:
	Investment gains/losses:
	Insurance and other	$	(969	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(969	)
	Finance and financial products		(72	)		—			—			—			(72	)
	Other		—			—			18			(37	)		(19	)
	Reclassifications before income taxes		(1,041	)		—			18			(37	)		(1,060	)
	Applicable income taxes		(364	)		—			4			(15	)		(375	)
		$	(677	)	$	—		$	14		$	(22	)	$	(685	)
	Three months ending March 31, 2013
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	29,254		$	(120	)	$	(1,601	)	$	(33	)	$	27,500
	Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		6,308			(560	)		24			12			5,784
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(328	)		—			34			2			(292	)
			5,980			(560	)		58			14			5,492
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	35,234		$	(680	)	$	(1,543	)	$	(19	)	$	32,992
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings during 2013 are included on the following line items:
	Investment gains/losses:
	Insurance and other	$	(436	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(436	)
	Finance and financial products		(68	)		—			—			—			(68	)
	Other		—			—			46			3			49
	Reclassifications before income taxes		(504	)		—			46			3			(455	)
	Applicable income taxes		(176	)		—			12			1			(163	)
		$	(328	)	$	—		$	34		$	2		$	(292	)

Business_segment_data_Tables

Business segment data (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of revenues and earnings by segment	'
	Revenues by segment for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).
		First Quarter
		2014			2013
	Operating Businesses:
	Insurance group:
	Premiums earned:
	GEICO	$	4,884		$	4,399
	General Re		1,557			1,469
	Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		2,022			2,796
	Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		953			713
	Investment income		951			1,001
	Total insurance group		10,367			10,378
	BNSF		5,447			5,284
	Finance and financial products		1,435			1,373
	Manufacturing businesses		8,641			8,161
	McLane Company		10,454			10,785
	Berkshire Hathaway Energy		4,306			3,116
	Other businesses		3,358			3,091
			44,008			42,188
	Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
	Investment and derivative gains/losses		1,367			1,711
	Eliminations and other		78			(32	)
		$	45,453		$	43,867
	Earnings before income taxes by segment for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).
		First Quarter
		2014			2013
	Operating Businesses:
	Insurance group:
	Underwriting gain (loss):
	GEICO	$	353		$	266
	General Re		80			95
	Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		183			974
	Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		99			54
	Net investment income		946			996
	Total insurance group		1,661			2,385
	BNSF		1,169			1,289
	Finance and financial products		372			296
	Manufacturing businesses		1,068			948
	McLane Company		115			132
	Berkshire Hathaway Energy		619			553
	Other businesses		287			282
			5,291			5,885
	Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
	Investment and derivative gains/losses		1,367			1,711
	Interest expense, excluding interest allocated to operating businesses		(77	)		(72	)
	Eliminations and other		17			(229	)
		$	6,598		$	7,295

Significant_business_acquisiti2

Significant business acquisitions - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	2 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 19, 2013	Dec. 19, 2013	Jan. 02, 2014	Feb. 25, 2014	Feb. 25, 2014	Feb. 25, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
			NV Energy [Member]	NV Energy [Member]	IMI plc Beverage Dispensing and Merchandising Operations [Member]	Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. (formerly Phillips Specialty Products Inc.) [Member]	Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. (formerly Phillips Specialty Products Inc.) [Member]	IMI plc and LSPI [Member]	IMI plc and LSPI [Member]
				Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]	Marmon [Member]		PSX [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate consideration paid for acquisitions	'	'	'	$5,600,000,000	$1,130,000,000	'	'	'	'
Percentage of acquiree's common stock acquired	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'	'
Number of shares exchanged	'	'	'	'	'	'	17,422,615	'	'
Fair value of shares exchanged	1,350,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	1,350,000,000	'	'
Preliminary fair values of identified assets	'	'	14,393,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	1,870,000,000
Preliminary fair values of identified liabilities	'	'	8,797,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	450,000,000
Residual goodwill	$1,236,000,000	$2,732,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	$1,060,000,000	'

Significant_business_acquisiti3

Significant business acquisitions - Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 19, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified				NV Energy [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	'	'	'	$9,550
Goodwill	58,264	57,011	54,523	2,362
Other assets, including cash of $304 million	'	'	'	2,481
Assets acquired	'	'	'	14,393
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	'	'	'	3,455
Notes payable and other borrowings	'	'	'	5,342
Liabilities assumed	'	'	'	8,797
Net assets acquired	'	'	'	$5,596

Significant_business_acquisiti4

Significant business acquisitions - Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (Parenthetical) (Detail) (NV Energy [Member], USD $)	Dec. 19, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
NV Energy [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Cash acquired	$304

Significant_business_acquisiti5

Significant business acquisitions - Pro forma consolidated earnings data (Detail) (NV Energy, IMI plc and LSPI [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
NV Energy, IMI plc and LSPI [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Revenues	$44,685
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$4,924
Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$2,997

Investments_in_fixed_maturity_2

Investments in fixed maturity securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value of fixed maturity securities	$29,558	$29,353
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	27,183	27,085
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	1,819	1,735
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	-104	-146
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	28,898	28,674
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	27,843	27,764
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	1,833	1,752
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	-104	-146
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	29,572	29,370
Carrying value of fixed maturity securities	29,558	29,353
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost and carrying value of held-to-maturity securities	660	679
Unrealized gains on held-to-maturity securities	14	17
Fair value of held-to-maturity securities	674	696
Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	2,926	2,650
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	16	16
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	-7	-8
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	2,935	2,658
Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	2,074	2,221
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	113	129
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	-2	-5
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	2,185	2,345
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign governments [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	12,201	11,001
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	221	182
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	-85	-110
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	12,337	11,073
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	8,213	9,383
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	1,245	1,190
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	-4	-15
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	9,454	10,558
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	1,769	1,830
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	224	218
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	-6	-8
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	$1,987	$2,040

Investments_in_fixed_maturity_3

Investments in fixed maturity securities - Carrying value by segment (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Investments in fixed maturity securities	$29,558	$29,353
Insurance and Other [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Investments in fixed maturity securities	29,101	28,785
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Investments in fixed maturity securities	$457	$568

Investments_in_fixed_maturity_4

Investments in fixed maturity securities - Narrative (Detail) (Fixed Maturities [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Unrealized losses related to securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months	$21	$26
Foreign governments [Member] | United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada and The Netherlands [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of fixed maturity investments by geographic location	75.00%	'
Foreign governments [Member] | AA or Higher Credit Rating [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of fixed maturity investments by credit rating	93.00%	'

Investments_in_fixed_maturity_5

Investments in fixed maturity securities - Amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities (Detail) (Fixed Maturities [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Due in one year or less - amortized cost	$7,986	'
Due after one year through five years - amortized cost	12,704	'
Due after five years through ten years - amortized cost	2,587	'
Due after ten years - amortized cost	2,797	'
Total - amortized cost	27,843	27,764
Due in one year or less - fair value	8,069	'
Due after one year through five years - fair value	13,431	'
Due after five years through ten years - fair value	2,864	'
Due after ten years - fair value	3,221	'
Fair Value of Investments	29,572	29,370
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage-backed securities - amortized cost	1,769	'
Mortgage-backed securities - fair value	$1,987	'

Investments_in_equity_securiti2

Investments in equity securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Fair value of investments	$118,486		$117,505
Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Cost basis of investments	60,188		59,451
Unrealized gains on investments	58,582		58,197
Unrealized losses on investments	-284		-143
Fair value of investments	118,486	[1]	117,505	[2]
Banks, insurance and finance [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Cost basis of investments	22,410		22,420
Unrealized gains on investments	30,042		28,021
Unrealized losses on investments	-7		'
Fair value of investments	52,445		50,441
Consumer products [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Cost basis of investments	7,083		7,082
Unrealized gains on investments	16,652		17,854
Unrealized losses on investments	-1		'
Fair value of investments	23,734		24,936
Commercial, industrial and other [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Cost basis of investments	30,695		29,949
Unrealized gains on investments	11,888		12,322
Unrealized losses on investments	-276		-143
Fair value of investments	$42,307		$42,128
[1]	As of March 31, 2014, approximately 56% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.6 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $24.0 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $13.2 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $15.5 billion).
[2]	As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.5 billion).

Investments_in_equity_securiti3

Investments in equity securities (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
	Item		Item
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Fair value of investments	118,486		117,505
Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Fair value of investments	118,486	[1]	117,505	[2]
Investment Concentration [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Concentration percentage	56.00%		55.00%
Number of companies in concentration percentage	4		4
American Express Company [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Fair value of investments	13,600		13,800
Wells Fargo & Company [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Fair value of investments	24,000		21,900
International Business Machines Corporation [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Fair value of investments	13,200		12,800
The Coca-Cola Company [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Fair value of investments	15,500		16,500
[1]	As of March 31, 2014, approximately 56% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.6 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $24.0 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $13.2 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $15.5 billion).
[2]	As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.5 billion).

Investments_in_equity_securiti4

Investments in equity securities - Narrative (Detail) (Equity Securities [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'
Unrealized losses related to securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months	$44	$52

Investments_in_equity_securiti5

Investments in equity securities - Fair value by segment (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in equity securities	$118,486		$117,505
Insurance and Other [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in equity securities	116,160		115,464
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Other Assets [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in equity securities	1,391	[1]	1,103	[1]
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'		'
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in equity securities	$935		$938
[1]	Included in other assets.

Other_investments_Narrative_De

Other investments - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2009

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Other Equity Securities [Member]

Other Equity Securities [Member]

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company [Member]

The Dow Chemical Company [Member]

The Dow Chemical Company [Member]

Bank of America Corporation [Member]

Bank of America Corporation [Member]

Bank of America Corporation [Member]

Bank of America Corporation [Member]

Bank of America Corporation [Member]

Bank of America Corporation [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Other Equity Securities [Member]

Other Equity Securities [Member]

Other Equity Securities [Member]

Other Equity Securities [Member]

Other Equity Securities [Member]

Other Equity Securities [Member]

Other Equity Securities [Member]

Other Equity Securities [Member]

Other Equity Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]

Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]

Warrants Expiring 2021 [Member]

Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock and Warrants [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]

Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]

Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock and Warrants [Member]

Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock and Warrants [Member]

Other Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment in preferred stock, liquidation value

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

8.50%

'

6.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Investment, number of shares purchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

50,000

'

'

'

'

Amount paid for an investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000,000

'

'

'

5,000,000,000

'

'

Conversion ratio of preferred stock into common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

24.201

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stock conversion price, per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$41.32

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock threshold price, per share, to trigger the issuer's option to convert preferred stock into common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$53.72

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum number of trading days in a consecutive-day period that the issuer's common stock price must exceed to trigger the issuer's option to convert preferred stock to common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Range of trading days in a consecutive day period, number of days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'30 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of common shares that can be purchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

700,000,000

'

'

'

Redemption value of Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$105,000

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption value of Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, aggregate value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate cost to exercise warrants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000,000

'

'

'

Exercise price for warrants, per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$7.14

'

'

'

Investment allocation percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

80.00%

Other investments, cost basis

'

'

'

'

10,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other investments, fair value

$5,884,000,000

$5,617,000,000

$13,259,000,000

$12,334,000,000

$19,143,000,000

$17,951,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments_in_HJ_Heinz_Holdin2

Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation - Narrative (Detail) (Heinz Holding [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 07, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 07, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 07, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 07, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3G Capital (venture partner) [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Heinz [Member]	Heinz [Member]	Heinz [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]
		3G Capital (venture partner) [Member]	Stock Options [Member]	3G Capital (venture partner) [Member]	Common Stock [Member]		Common Stock [Member]	Warrants Expiring June 7, 2018 [Member]	Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock, Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock and Warrants [Member]	Heinz [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate cash paid for acquiree's equity securities	'	$4.25	'	'	$23.25	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investment, number of shares purchased	'	425,000,000	'	'	'	'	425,000,000	'	'	'	'
Number of common shares that can be purchased	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	46,000,000	'	'	'
Investment in preferred stock, liquidation value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8	'	'
Purchase of preferred stock, common stock and warrants	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$12.25	'
Common shares reserved for issuance under options	'	'	39,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9.00%	'	'
Exercise price for warrants, per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0.01	'	'	'
Equity method investment ownership percentage	50.00%	'	'	'	'	50.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Minimum percentage of initial common stock investment required to be held to maintain approval rights over significant transactions and governance	'	'	'	66.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	66.00%

Investments_in_HJ_Heinz_Holdin3

Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (Detail) (Heinz Holding [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 30, 2014		Dec. 29, 2013
Heinz Holding [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'		'
Assets	$38,962		$38,972
Liabilities	22,461		22,429
Sales	2,800		'
Net earnings	195		'
Preferred stock dividends earned by Berkshire	-180		'
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	15		'
Earnings attributable to Berkshire	$188	[1]	'
[1]	Includes dividends earned plus Berkshire's share of net earnings attributable to common stockholders.

Investment_gainslosses_Detail

Investment gains/losses (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	($19)	($85)
Investment gains/losses	1,131	505
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Gross gains from sales and other disposals	190	15
Gross losses from sales and other disposals	-29	-54
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Gross gains from sales and other disposals	1,004	109
Gross losses from sales and other disposals	'	-1
Other Types of Investments [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Other investment gains/losses	-15	521
Insurance and Other [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Investment gains/losses	1,059	434
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Investment gains/losses	$72	$71

Investment_gainslosses_Narrati

Investment gains/losses - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Feb. 25, 2014
			Equity Securities [Member]
			PSX [Member]
			Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. (formerly Phillips Specialty Products Inc.) [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investment gains/losses	$1,131	$505	$949

Receivables_Detail

Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Insurance and Other [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Insurance premiums receivable	$8,725	$7,474
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	3,196	3,055
Trade and other receivables	11,148	10,111
Allowances for uncollectible accounts	-352	-360
Total receivables of insurance and other businesses	22,717	20,280
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables	12,807	13,170
Allowances for uncollectible loans	-343	-344
Total loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses	$12,464	$12,826

Receivables_Narrative_Detail

Receivables - Narrative (Detail) (Finance and Financial Products [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Consumer installment loans [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of aggregate consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables	98.00%	'	95.00%
Consumer installment loans and finance receivables [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Provisions for loan losses	$46	$66	'
Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries	47	78	'
Unamortized acquisition discounts on loans	$321	'	$406
Loans and finance receivables [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percent of loan balances evaluated collectively for impairment	97.00%	'	'
Percent of loan balances that are performing	98.00%	'	'
Percent of loan balances that are current as to payment status	95.00%	'	'

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Raw materials	$1,828	$1,755
Work in process and other	872	842
Finished manufactured goods	3,430	3,206
Goods acquired for resale	4,115	4,057
Total inventory	$10,245	$9,860

Property_plant_and_equipment_a2

Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease (Detail) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Buildings and improvements [Member]

Buildings and improvements [Member]

Machinery and equipment [Member]

Machinery and equipment [Member]

Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]

Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]

Land [Member]

Land [Member]

Land [Member]

Land [Member]

Track structure and other roadway [Member]

Track structure and other roadway [Member]

Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]

Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]

Construction in progress [Member]

Construction in progress [Member]

Utility generation, distribution and transmission system [Member]

Utility generation, distribution and transmission system [Member]

Interstate pipeline assets [Member]

Interstate pipeline assets [Member]

Independent power plants and other assets [Member]

Independent power plants and other assets [Member]

Construction in progress [Member]

Construction in progress [Member]

Land [Member]

Land [Member]

Assets held for lease [Member]

Assets held for lease [Member]

Buildings, machinery and other [Member]

Buildings, machinery and other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Railroad [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Utilities and Energy [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Buildings and improvements [Member]

Machinery and equipment [Member]

Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]

Track structure and other roadway [Member]

Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]

Utility generation, distribution and transmission system [Member]

Interstate pipeline assets [Member]

Independent power plants and other assets [Member]

Assets held for lease [Member]

Buildings, machinery and other [Member]

Buildings and improvements [Member]

Machinery and equipment [Member]

Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]

Track structure and other roadway [Member]

Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]

Utility generation, distribution and transmission system [Member]

Interstate pipeline assets [Member]

Independent power plants and other assets [Member]

Assets held for lease [Member]

Buildings, machinery and other [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, plant and equipment, gross

$26,472

$26,074

$6,308

$6,244

$16,136

$15,984

$2,924

$2,748

$1,104

$1,098

$5,973

$5,973

$40,525

$40,098

$7,996

$7,551

$971

$973

$57,903

$57,490

$6,498

$6,448

$2,999

$2,516

$4,247

$4,217

$127,112

$125,266

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation

-12,674

-12,451

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-23,604

-22,784

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total property, plant and equipment, net

13,798

13,623

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

103,508

102,482

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated useful life (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'3 years

'2 years

'5 years

'5 years

'5 years

'3 years

'3 years

'6 years

'3 years

'40 years

'25 years

'15 years

'100 years

'40 years

'80 years

'80 years

'30 years

'30 years

'50 years

Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,042

10,888

232

233

9,651

9,509

1,159

1,146

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, accumulated depreciation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3,268

-3,188

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$7,774

$7,700

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property_plant_and_equipment_a3

Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Insurance and Other [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Depreciation expense	$397	$400
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Depreciation expense	947	795
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Depreciation expense	$148	$142

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_2

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	$57,011	$54,523
Acquisitions of businesses	1,236	2,732
Other, including foreign currency translation	17	-244
Balance at end of period	$58,264	$57,011

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_3

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	$15,138	$14,137
Accumulated amortization	5,245	4,954
Trademarks and trade names [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	2,988	2,750
Accumulated amortization	365	340
Patents and technology [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	5,667	5,173
Accumulated amortization	2,771	2,626
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	4,880	4,690
Accumulated amortization	1,618	1,518
Other intangible assets [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	1,603	1,524
Accumulated amortization	491	470
Insurance and Other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	12,924	11,923
Accumulated amortization	3,936	3,723
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	2,214	2,214
Accumulated amortization	$1,309	$1,231

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_4

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]	Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]	Unclassified Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]	Unclassified Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$280	$264	'	'
Intangible assets with indefinite lives, excluding goodwill	'	'	$2,457	$2,221

Derivative_contracts_Detail

Derivative contracts (Detail) (Finance and Financial Products [Member], Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Liabilities	$5,095		$5,331
Equity Index Put Options [Member]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Liabilities	4,800		4,667
Notional Value	32,225	[1]	32,095	[1]
Credit Default Contracts [Member]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Liabilities	275		648
Notional Value	7,792	[2]	7,792	[2]
Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency [Member]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Liabilities	$20		$16
[1]	Represents the aggregate undiscounted amount payable at the contract expiration dates assuming that the value of the related index is zero at each contract's expiration date.
[2]	Represents the maximum undiscounted future value of losses payable under the contracts, if all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.

Derivative_contracts_gains_and

Derivative contracts - gains and losses (Detail) (Finance and Financial Products [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative gains/losses	$236	$1,206
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative gains/losses	236	1,206
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative gains/losses	-132	1,246
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default Contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative gains/losses	373	-14
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative gains/losses	($5)	($26)

Derivative_contracts_Narrative

Derivative contracts - Narrative (Detail) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Collateral posting requirements under contracts with collateral provisions	$0	$0
Additional collateral posting requirements	1,100,000,000	'
Liabilities	5,095,000,000	5,331,000,000
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value of equity index put option contracts	1,600,000,000	1,700,000,000
Maturity date, range, start	'June 2018	'
Maturity date, range, end	'January 2026	'
Weighted average remaining life of derivative contract	'6 years 9 months	'
Liabilities	4,800,000,000	4,667,000,000
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Credit Default Contracts - States and Municipalities [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date, range, start	'2019	'
Maturity date, range, end	'2054	'
Weighted average remaining life of derivative contract	'17 years 6 months	'
Notional value	7,800,000,000	'
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	93,000,000	87,000,000
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Liabilities	$160,000,000	$208,000,000

Supplemental_cash_flow_informa2

Supplemental cash flow information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]	'	'
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$283	$241
Investments in equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisition	1,350	'
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions	567	'
Insurance and Other [Member]	'	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]	'	'
Cash paid during the period for interest	139	119
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]	'	'
Cash paid during the period for interest	678	505
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]	'	'
Cash paid during the period for interest	$102	$139

Notes_payable_and_other_borrow2

Notes payable and other borrowings (Detail) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Insurance and Other [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member]

BNSF [Member]

BNSF [Member]

BNSF [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]

Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member]

Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member]

Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]

Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member]

Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member]

Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member]

Debt [Member]

Debt [Member]

Debt [Member]

Debt [Member]

Debt [Member]

Debt [Member]

Debt [Member]

Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date, range, start

'

'

'

'

'2017

'

'

'2014

'

'

'2014

'

'

'

'

'2014

'

'

'2014

'

'

'

'

'2014

'

'

'2014

Maturity date, range, end

'

'

'

'

'2043

'

'

'2043

'

'

'2097

'

'

'

'

'2047

'

'

'2035

'

'

'

'

'2043

'

'

'2036

Short-term debt, weighted average interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior unsecured debt

'

'

$6,366

$6,616

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average interest rate, percentage

'

'

5.70%

'

'

5.30%

'

'

5.20%

'

'

'

'

2.70%

'

'

6.00%

'

'

'

'

3.30%

'

'

4.90%

'

'

Notes payable and other borrowings

47,751

46,655

'

'

'

23,436

23,033

'

17,949

17,006

'

12,448

12,440

8,305

8,311

'

'

'

'

13,024

13,129

11,177

11,178

'

1,847

1,951

'

Short-term borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

978

949

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,165

$3,180

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes_payable_and_other_borrow3

Notes payable and other borrowings - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]	BNSF [Member]	BNSF [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway Subsidiaries [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]
	Senior Notes [Member]	Senior Notes Due 2017, Floating Rate [Member]	Senior Notes Due 2018 at 2% [Member]	Debentures Due 2024 at 3.75% [Member]	Debentures Due 2044 at 4.9% [Member]	Term Debt [Member]	Line of Credit and Commercial Paper Facilities [Member]	Subsidiaries Excluding Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]
	Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount of debt issued	$750,000,000	$650,000,000	$100,000,000	$500,000,000	$1,000,000,000	$425,000,000	'	'
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	'	'	2.00%	3.75%	4.90%	'	'	'
Repayment of debt	750,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unused lines of credit available	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,200,000,000	'
Guarantee obligation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$4,000,000,000

Fair_value_measurements_Financ

Fair value measurements - Financial assets and liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	$29,558		$29,353
Investments in equity securities	118,486		117,505
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value	47,751		46,655
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	457		568
Investments in equity securities	935		938
Other investments	5,884		5,617
Loans and finance receivables - carrying value	12,464		12,826
Derivative contract liabilities	5,095		5,331
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value	13,024		13,129
Insurance and Other [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	29,101		28,785
Investments in equity securities	116,160		115,464
Other investments	13,259		12,334
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value	12,448		12,440
Other Assets [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in equity securities	1,391	[1]	1,103	[1]
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	29,558		29,353
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	29,572		29,370
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in equity securities	118,418		117,438
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] | Other Assets [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract assets	4	[2]	3	[2]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract liabilities	'		1	[2]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	2,366		2,184
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign governments [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	7,344		7,467
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in equity securities	61		60
Loans and finance receivables - fair value	62		454
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value	52,281		49,879
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value	12,920		12,846
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value	12,842		12,655
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Other Assets [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract assets	33	[2]	15	[2]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract liabilities	117	[2]	198	[2]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	569		473
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	2,185		2,345
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign governments [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	4,993		3,606
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	9,139		10,187
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	1,987		2,040
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in equity securities	7		7
Other investments	19,143		17,951
Loans and finance receivables - fair value	11,499		11,548
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value	634		659
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract liabilities	4,800		4,667
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Credit Default Contracts [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract liabilities	275		648
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Other Assets [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract assets	56	[2]	69	[2]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract liabilities	43	[2]	9	[2]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Heinz Holding [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock - fair value	8,296		7,971
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	'		1
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	989		1,067
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in equity securities	118,486		117,505
Other investments	19,143		17,951
Loans and finance receivables - carrying value	12,464		12,826
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value	47,751		46,655
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value	13,024		13,129
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract liabilities	4,800		4,667
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Credit Default Contracts [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract liabilities	275		648
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value	12,448		12,440
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Other Assets [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract assets	93	[2]	87	[2]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract liabilities	160	[2]	208	[2]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Heinz Holding [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock - carrying value	7,710		7,710
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	2,935		2,658
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	2,185		2,345
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign governments [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	12,337		11,073
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	10,114		11,237
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	1,987		2,040
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in equity securities	118,486		117,505
Other investments	19,143		17,951
Loans and finance receivables - fair value	11,561		12,002
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value	52,281		49,879
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value	13,554		13,505
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract liabilities	4,800		4,667
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Credit Default Contracts [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract liabilities	275		648
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value	12,842		12,655
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Other Assets [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract assets	93	[2]	87	[2]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative contract liabilities	160	[2]	208	[2]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Heinz Holding [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock - fair value	8,296		7,971
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	2,935		2,658
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	2,185		2,345
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign governments [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	12,337		11,073
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	10,128		11,254
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	$1,987		$2,040
[1]	Included in other assets.
[2]	Assets are included in other assets and liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities.

Fair_value_measurements_Signif

Fair value measurements - Significant unobservable inputs (Detail) (Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net Derivative Contract (Liabilities) [Member]	'	'
Fair value measurements Significant unobservable inputs [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	($5,255)	($7,847)
Gains (losses) included in earnings	222	1,235
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	3	-3
Gains (losses) included in regulatory assets and liabilities	2	1
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	-35	'
Dispositions and settlements	'	-27
Ending Balance	-5,063	-6,641
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Fair value measurements Significant unobservable inputs [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	372	652
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	'	-2
Dispositions and settlements	-1	-1
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	-56	'
Ending Balance	315	649
Equity Securities and Other Investments [Member]	'	'
Fair value measurements Significant unobservable inputs [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	17,958	15,785
Gains (losses) included in earnings	'	520
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	1,192	399
Ending Balance	$19,150	$16,704

Fair_value_measurements_Other_

Fair value measurements - Other information (Detail) (Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Discounted Cash Flow Method [Member] | Net Derivative Contract Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Contracts - States and Municipalities [Member]	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'
Fair value, unobservable input, credit spreads	0.48%
Fair value of liability	$275
Pricing Model, Option [Member] | Net Derivative Contract Liabilities [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'
Fair value, unobservable input, volatility	20.00%
Fair value of liability	4,800
Other Equity Securities [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow Method [Member]	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'
Fair value, unobservable input, expected duration	'6 years
Fair value, unobservable input, discount for transferability restrictions and subordination	0.97%
Fair value of asset	12,297
Other Equity Securities [Member] | Common Stock Warrants [Member] | Pricing Model, Warrant [Member]	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'
Fair value, unobservable input, discount for transferability and hedging restrictions	8.00%
Fair value of asset	$6,846

Common_stock_Detail

Common stock (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Class A [Member]	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'
Shares issued, beginning of year (in shares)	868,616
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition	-1,443
Shares issued, end of period (in shares)	867,173
Treasury shares, beginning of year	-9,573
Treasury shares, end of period	-9,573
Outstanding, beginning of year (in shares)	859,043
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	857,600
Class B [Member]	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'
Shares issued, beginning of year (in shares)	1,178,775,092
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition	2,666,267
Shares issued, end of period (in shares)	1,181,441,359
Treasury shares, beginning of year	-1,408,484
Treasury shares, end of period	-1,408,484
Outstanding, beginning of year (in shares)	1,177,366,608
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	1,180,032,875

Common_stock_Parenthetical_Det

Common stock (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
Class A [Member]	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'
Common Stock, par value per share	$5
Common Stock, shares authorized	1,650,000
Class B [Member]	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'
Common Stock, par value per share	$0.00
Common Stock, shares authorized	3,225,000,000

Common_stock_Narrative_Detail

Common stock - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	Class B [Member]	Class A [Member]	Class A [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]
	Vote	Vote
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Ratio of net earnings per equivalent common share and dividend and distribution rights of Class B shares to Class A shares	0.000667	'	'	'	'
Number of votes entitled per share, number	0.0001	1	'	'	'
Number of shares of Class B stock obtainable from converting one Class A share	1,500	'	'	'	'
Class A equivalent shares outstanding	'	1,644,289	1,643,954	'	'
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	'	'	'	1,000,000	'
Preferred Stock, shares issued	'	'	'	0	'
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	'	'	'	0	'
Shares repurchase, authorization description	'	'	'	'	'In September 2011, Berkshire's Board of Directors ("Berkshire's Board") approved a common stock repurchase program under which Berkshire may repurchase its Class A and Class B shares at prices no higher than a 10% premium over the book value of the shares. In December 2012, Berkshire's Board amended the repurchase program by raising the price limit to no higher than a 20% premium over book value.
Minimum cash equivalent threshold after repurchase of common stock shares, amount	'	'	'	'	$20,000,000,000

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv2

Accumulated other comprehensive income (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member]	Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member]	Foreign currency translation [Member]	Foreign currency translation [Member]	Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans [Member]	Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans [Member]	Other AOCI transactions [Member]	Other AOCI transactions [Member]
					Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$45,049	$44,025	$44,025	$27,500	$44,042	$29,254	($146)	($120)	$46	($1,601)	$83	($33)
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications	'	'	1,709	5,784	1,674	6,308	24	-560	-7	24	18	12
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	-685	-292	-677	-328	'	'	14	34	-22	2
Net current period other comprehensive income	'	'	1,024	5,492	997	5,980	24	-560	7	58	-4	14
Ending Balance	$45,049	$44,025	$45,049	$32,992	$45,039	$35,234	($122)	($680)	$53	($1,543)	$79	($19)

Accumulated_other_comprehensiv3

Accumulated other comprehensive income - Reclassified Amounts (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Investment gains/losses	$1,131	$505
Reclassifications before income taxes	6,598	7,295
Applicable income taxes	1,825	2,278
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings	4,773	5,017
Insurance and Other [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Investment gains/losses	1,059	434
Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Investment gains/losses	72	71
Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Other	-19	49
Reclassifications before income taxes	-1,060	-455
Applicable income taxes	-375	-163
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings	-685	-292
Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Investment gains/losses	-969	-436
Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Investment gains/losses	-72	-68
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] | Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Reclassifications before income taxes	-1,041	-504
Applicable income taxes	-364	-176
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings	-677	-328
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] | Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Investment gains/losses	-969	-436
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] | Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Investment gains/losses	-72	-68
Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans [Member] | Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Other	18	46
Reclassifications before income taxes	18	46
Applicable income taxes	4	12
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings	14	34
Other AOCI transactions [Member] | Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Other	-37	3
Reclassifications before income taxes	-37	3
Applicable income taxes	-15	1
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings	($22)	$2

Contingencies_and_Commitments_

Contingencies and Commitments - Narrative (Detail)	1-May-14	1-May-14	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member]	Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member]	Berkadia Commercial Mortgage (investee) [Member]	Leucadia National Corporation (venture partner) [Member]
	AltaLink [Member]	AltaLink [Member]		Surety bonds [Member]	USD ($)	Berkadia Commercial Mortgage (investee) [Member]
	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]		USD ($)
	USD ($)	CAD
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Voting interest in investee	'	'	'	'	50.00%	50.00%
Guarantee obligation, maximum amount of exposure	'	'	'	$2.50	'	'
Reimbursement rate from joint venture partner of Company's surety bond claim losses	'	'	50.00%	'	'	'
Commercial paper outstanding	'	'	'	'	2.47	'
Ownership percentage to be acquired	100.00%	100.00%	'	'	'	'
Cash committed to be paid for a potential business acquisition	$2.90	3.2	'	'	'	'

Business_segment_data_Detail

Business segment data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	$45,453	$43,867
Total earnings before income taxes	6,598	7,295
Operating Businesses [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	44,008	42,188
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	5,291	5,885
Operating Businesses [Member] | Geico [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Premiums earned	4,884	4,399
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	353	266
Operating Businesses [Member] | General Re [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Premiums earned	1,557	1,469
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	80	95
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Premiums earned	2,022	2,796
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	183	974
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Premiums earned	953	713
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	99	54
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group Investment Income [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest, dividend and other investment income	951	1,001
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	946	996
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	10,367	10,378
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,661	2,385
Operating Businesses [Member] | BNSF [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	5,447	5,284
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,169	1,289
Operating Businesses [Member] | Finance and Financial Products Reportable Segment [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	1,435	1,373
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	372	296
Operating Businesses [Member] | Manufacturing Businesses [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	8,641	8,161
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,068	948
Operating Businesses [Member] | McLane Company [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	10,454	10,785
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	115	132
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	4,306	3,116
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	619	553
Operating Businesses [Member] | Other Businesses [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	3,358	3,091
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	287	282
Intersegment Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Investment and derivative gains/losses	1,367	1,711
Revenues	78	-32
Interest expense	-77	-72
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	$17	($229)