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Significant business acquisitions and other transactions - Narrative (Detail) $ in Millions				1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2024 shares	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($) Location Store shares	Jan. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2024 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($) Location Store	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($) Location Store	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues					$ 62,048	$ 65,197		$ 186,858	$ 190,325
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire shareholders					26,251	(12,767)		69,301	58,649
Equity method earnings					222	$ 262		967	$ 1,461
Capital in excess of par value		$ 35,478			$ 35,478			$ 35,478		$ 34,480
Berkshire Hathaway Energy ("BHE") [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding common stock repurchased		5.85%			5.85%			5.85%
Par amount of debt repurchased		$ 100			$ 100			$ 100
Payments to repurchase stock and debentures		2,400
Par amount of promissory note		$ 600			$ 600			$ 600
Pilot Travel Centers LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of additional interest acquired			41.40%
Business acquisition, cash consideration			$ 8,200	$ 2,600
Economic interest			38.60%
One-time, non-cash remeasurement gain recognized							$ 3,000
Economic interest after subsequent acquisition			80.00%	100.00%
Adjustments to additional paid in capital				$ 517
Pilot Travel Centers LLC [Member] | Canadian Provinces [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of places retail locations located | Location		5			5			5
Pilot Travel Centers LLC [Member] | U.S. States [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of places retail locations located | Location		44			44			44
Pilot Travel Centers LLC [Member] | U.S. and Canada [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of fuel only retail locations | Location		75			75			75
Pilot Travel Centers LLC [Member] | U.S. and Canada [Member] | Travel Center Locations [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of retail | Store		650			650			650
BHE [Member] | Class B Common Stock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of shares exchanged | shares		1,368,508
Value of shares exchanged		$ 625			$ 625			$ 625
BHE [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding common stock purchased		1.26%			1.26%			1.26%
BHE [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Class B Common Stock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of shares exchanged | shares	923,123

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