XML 120 R112.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.24.1.u1

Business segment data - Revenues (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2024 | Mar. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | $ 89,869 | $ 85,393
BNSF [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 5,637 | 6,001
Berkshire Hathaway Energy ("BHE") [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 6,265 | 6,439
Pilot [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 12,494 | 9,496
Manufacturing Businesses [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 18,511 | 18,265
McLane [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 12,300 | 12,881
Service and Retailing [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 9,672 | 9,902
Operating Businesses [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 89,785 | 85,445
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Interest, dividend and other investment income | 3,164 | 2,392
Total revenues | 24,638 | 22,188
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | GEICO [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Premiums earned | 10,234 | 9,626
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Premiums earned | 4,541 | 3,961
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Premiums earned | 6,699 | 6,209
Operating Businesses [Member] | BNSF [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 5,660 | 6,019
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy ("BHE") [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 6,277 | 6,451
Operating Businesses [Member] | Pilot [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 12,503 | 9,508
Operating Businesses [Member] | Manufacturing Businesses [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 18,529 | 18,289
Operating Businesses [Member] | McLane [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 12,475 | 13,059
Operating Businesses [Member] | Service and Retailing [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | 9,703 | 9,931
Corporate, Eliminations and Other [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total revenues | $ 84 | $ (52)

X
- Definition Amount including accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) of interest income and dividend income on securities and investments. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | brka_InvestmentIncomeInterestDividendAndOther
Namespace Prefix: | brka_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount, after premiums ceded to other entities and premiums assumed by the entity, of premiums earned. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 944 -SubTopic 235 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-17(Column E)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480149/944-235-S99-2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 944 -SubTopic 605 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(3) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479655/944-605-50-1 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(13)(c)) -SubTopic 220 -Topic 942 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483589/942-220-S99-1 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(1)) -SubTopic 220 -Topic 944 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483586/944-220-S99-1 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PremiumsEarnedNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(g)(1)(ii)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480678/235-10-S99-1 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481687/323-10-50-3 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (f) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482907/825-10-50-28 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(1)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483621/220-10-S99-2 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (SX 210.13-01(a)(4)(i)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480097/470-10-S99-1A Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (SX 210.13-01(a)(4)(ii)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480097/470-10-S99-1A Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (SX 210.13-01(a)(4)(iii)(A)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480097/470-10-S99-1A Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (SX 210.13-01(a)(4)(iv)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480097/470-10-S99-1A Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (SX 210.13-01(a)(5)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480097/470-10-S99-1A Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1B -Subparagraph (SX 210.13-02(a)(4)(i)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480097/470-10-S99-1B Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1B -Subparagraph (SX 210.13-02(a)(4)(iii)(A)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480097/470-10-S99-1B Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1B -Subparagraph (SX 210.13-02(a)(4)(iii)(B)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480097/470-10-S99-1B Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1B -Subparagraph (SX 210.13-02(a)(4)(iv)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480097/470-10-S99-1B Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1B -Subparagraph (SX 210.13-02(a)(5)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480097/470-10-S99-1B Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 30 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-30 Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 42 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-42 Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-22 Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-32 Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 40 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-40 Reference 20: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-22 Reference 21: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-32 Reference 22: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 41 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-41 Reference 23: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 942 -SubTopic 235 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-05(b)(2)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479557/942-235-S99-1 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=brka_BurlingtonNorthernSantaFeCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=brka_BerkshireHathawayEnergyCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=brka_PilotTravelCentersLLCMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=brka_ManufacturingBusinessesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=brka_McLaneCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=brka_ServiceAndRetailingBusinessesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=brka_BerkshireHathawayInsuranceGroupMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis=brka_GeicoMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis=brka_BerkshireHathawayPrimaryGroupMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis=brka_BerkshireHathawayReinsuranceGroupMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis=brka_CorporateReconcilingItemsAndEliminationsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |