XML 161 R148.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.25.0.1

Note to Condensed Financial Information - Narrative (Detail) $ in Millions, € in Billions, ¥ in Billions |  | 2 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Oct. 19, 2022 USD ($) | Oct. 31, 2024 USD ($) shares | Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2024 JPY (¥) | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2024 JPY (¥) | Dec. 31, 2024 EUR (€)
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2025 |  |  | $ 9,366 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2026 |  |  | 5,748 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2027 |  |  | 6,420 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2028 |  |  | 3,963 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2029 |  |  | 6,326 |  |  |  |  |
Alleghany Corporation [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business acquisition, cash consideration | $ 11,500 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business acquisition, effective date of acquisition | Oct. 19, 2022 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance and Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2025 |  |  | 4,334 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2026 |  |  | 4,313 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2027 |  |  | 4,788 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2028 |  |  | 2,214 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2029 |  |  | 2,595 |  |  |  |  |
Class B Common Stock [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy ("BHE") [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of shares exchanged | shares |  | 2,291,631 |  |  |  |  |  |
Value of shares exchanged |  | $ 1,045 |  |  |  |  |  |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of borrowings |  |  | 1,854 |  | $ 4,310 | $ 602 |  |
Principal amount of debt issued |  |  |  |  |  |  | ¥ 1,988.0 | € 4.6
Debt maturities: 2025 |  |  | 1,900 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2026 |  |  | 4,200 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2027 |  |  | 4,000 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2028 |  |  | 2,200 |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturities: 2029 |  |  | 2,600 |  |  |  |  |
Guarantees of subsidiary debt |  |  | 20,800 |  |  |  |  |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy ("BHE") [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of outstanding common stock purchased |  | 2.12% |  |  |  |  |  |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of borrowings |  |  | 1,900 |  |  |  |  |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes and Term Loan Due 2027 to 2054 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount of debt issued |  |  | $ 5,500 | ¥ 837.4 |  |  |  |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes and Term Loan Due 2027 to 2054 [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate during period |  |  | 0.974% | 0.974% |  |  |  |
Debt maturity year |  |  | 2027 | 2027 |  |  |  |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes and Term Loan Due 2027 to 2054 [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate during period |  |  | 2.625% | 2.625% |  |  |  |
Debt maturity year |  |  | 2054 | 2054 |  |  |  |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | The Kraft Heinz Company [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investment ownership percentage after transactions |  |  | 27.20% | 27.20% |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Year the debt matures, in CCYY format. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | brka_DebtInstrumentMaturityYear
Namespace Prefix: | brka_
Data Type: | xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The principal amount of new debt issued during the period, excluding premium or discount, if any. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | brka_DebtIssuedDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | brka_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The unpaid balance of subsidiary debt that the parent entity has guaranteed full payment of present and future obligations when due. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | brka_GuaranteesOfSubsidiaryDebt
Namespace Prefix: | brka_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of shares exchanged to acquire noncontrolling interest. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | brka_NumberOfSharesExchangedToAcquireNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix: | brka_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of outstanding common stock purchased that was held by noncontrolling shareholders. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | brka_PercentageOfOutstandingCommonStockPurchased
Namespace Prefix: | brka_
Data Type: | dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Aggregate amount of short-term and long-term debt maturing or scheduled to be repaid within the next twelve months following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | brka_RepaymentsOfDebtPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths
Namespace Prefix: | brka_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Value of shares exchanged to acquire noncontrolling interest. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | brka_ValueOfSharesExchangedToAcquireNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix: | brka_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04(a)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480678/235-10-S99-3 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481231/810-10-45-11 + Details
Name: | srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | srt_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Date when the acquirer obtains control of the acquiree, in YYYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 25 -Paragraph 7 -SubTopic 10 -Topic 805 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479405/805-10-25-7 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -SubTopic 10 -Topic 805 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479328/805-10-50-2 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 25 -Paragraph 6 -SubTopic 10 -Topic 805 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479405/805-10-25-6 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEffectiveDateOfAcquisition1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482949/835-30-55-8 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1B -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1B Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 55 -Paragraph 69B -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69B Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 55 -Paragraph 69C -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69C Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482900/835-30-50-1 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482925/835-30-45-2 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The average effective interest rate during the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22)(a)(1)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1F -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1F Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482925/835-30-45-2 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirement, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable price and date, maturing in fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04(a)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480678/235-10-S99-3 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1E -Subparagraph (d) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1E Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -SubTopic 10 -Topic 470 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481544/470-10-50-1 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirement, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable price and date, maturing in fourth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04(a)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480678/235-10-S99-3 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1E -Subparagraph (d) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1E Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -SubTopic 10 -Topic 470 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481544/470-10-50-1 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirement, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable price and date, maturing in third fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04(a)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480678/235-10-S99-3 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1E -Subparagraph (d) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1E Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -SubTopic 10 -Topic 470 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481544/470-10-50-1 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirement, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable price and date, maturing in second fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04(a)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480678/235-10-S99-3 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1E -Subparagraph (d) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1E Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -SubTopic 10 -Topic 470 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481544/470-10-50-1 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(1) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479581/805-30-50-1 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-13 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of cash outflow for short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of lease obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-15 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of subsidiary's or equity method investee's stock owned by parent immediately after all stock transactions. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeCumulativePercentageOwnershipAfterAllTransactions
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=brka_AlleghanyCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=brka_InsuranceAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis=us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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

X
- Details
Name: | srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis=srt_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=brka_SeniorNotesAndTermLoanDueTwoThousandTwentySevenToTwoThousandFiftyFourMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=brka_TheKraftHeinzCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |