10-K Filing

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC CIK: 1067983 FY 2019

Filing Information

Form Type	10-K
Accession Number	`0001564590-20-005874`
Period End Date	20191231
Filing Date	20200224
Fiscal Year	2019
Fiscal Period	FY
XBRL Instance	brka-10k_20191231_htm.xml

Filing Contents

This filing contains the following financial statements:

Balance Sheet 55 Income Statement 58 Cash Flow Statement 97 Stockholders Equity 21 Comprehensive Income 42

Balance Sheet 55 line items

Line Item	Tag	Value	Unit	Period
Investments in fixed maturity securities	`AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities`	$18.68B	USD	Point-in-time
Investments in fixed maturity securities	`AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities`	$19.90B	USD	Point-in-time
Investments in equity securities	`EquitySecuritiesFvNi`	$248.03B	USD	Point-in-time
Investments in equity securities	`EquitySecuritiesFvNi`	$172.76B	USD	Point-in-time
Loans and finance receivables	`LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount`	$16.28B	USD	Point-in-time
Loans and finance receivables	`LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount`	$17.53B	USD	Point-in-time
Inventories	`InventoryNet`	$19.85B	USD	Point-in-time
Inventories	`InventoryNet`	$19.07B	USD	Point-in-time
Equipment held for lease	`PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseNet`	$14.30B	USD	Point-in-time
Equipment held for lease	`PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseNet`	$15.06B	USD	Point-in-time
Goodwill	`Goodwill`	$81.88B	USD	Point-in-time
Goodwill	`Goodwill`	$81.03B	USD	Point-in-time
Goodwill	`Goodwill`	$81.26B	USD	Point-in-time
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts	`UnamortizedDeferredChargesOnReinsuranceAssumed`	$15.28B	USD	Point-in-time
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts	`UnamortizedDeferredChargesOnReinsuranceAssumed`	$8.05B	USD	Point-in-time
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts	`UnamortizedDeferredChargesOnReinsuranceAssumed`	$13.75B	USD	Point-in-time
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts	`UnamortizedDeferredChargesOnReinsuranceAssumed`	$14.10B	USD	Point-in-time
Total assets	`Assets`	$702.10B	USD	Point-in-time
Total assets	`Assets`	$707.79B	USD	Point-in-time
Total assets	`Assets`	$817.73B	USD	Point-in-time
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	`LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePropertyCasualtyLiability`	$73.02B	USD	Point-in-time
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	`LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePropertyCasualtyLiability`	$68.46B	USD	Point-in-time
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	`LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePropertyCasualtyLiability`	$53.38B	USD	Point-in-time
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	`LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePropertyCasualtyLiability`	$61.12B	USD	Point-in-time
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts	`LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimAdjustmentExpenseRetroactiveReinsuranceContracts`	$24.97B	USD	Point-in-time
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts	`LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimAdjustmentExpenseRetroactiveReinsuranceContracts`	$42.94B	USD	Point-in-time
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts	`LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimAdjustmentExpenseRetroactiveReinsuranceContracts`	$41.83B	USD	Point-in-time
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts	`LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimAdjustmentExpenseRetroactiveReinsuranceContracts`	$42.44B	USD	Point-in-time
Notes payable and other borrowings	`DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations`	6.85B	EUR	Point-in-time
Notes payable and other borrowings	`DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations`	1.75B	GBP	Point-in-time
Notes payable and other borrowings	`DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations`	430.00B	JPY	Point-in-time
Income taxes, principally deferred	`IncomeTaxesPrincipallyDeferred`	$51.38B	USD	Point-in-time
Income taxes, principally deferred	`IncomeTaxesPrincipallyDeferred`	$66.80B	USD	Point-in-time
Total liabilities	`Liabilities`	$355.29B	USD	Point-in-time
Total liabilities	`Liabilities`	$389.17B	USD	Point-in-time
Common stock	`CommonStockValue`	$8.00M	USD	Point-in-time
Common stock	`CommonStockValue`	$8.00M	USD	Point-in-time
Capital in excess of par value	`AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock`	$35.71B	USD	Point-in-time
Capital in excess of par value	`AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock`	$35.66B	USD	Point-in-time
Accumulated other comprehensive income	`AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax`	$-5.01B	USD	Point-in-time
Accumulated other comprehensive income	`AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax`	$-5.24B	USD	Point-in-time
Retained earnings	`RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit`	$402.49B	USD	Point-in-time
Retained earnings	`RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit`	$321.11B	USD	Point-in-time
Treasury stock, at cost	`TreasuryStockValue`	$3.11B	USD	Point-in-time
Treasury stock, at cost	`TreasuryStockValue`	$8.12B	USD	Point-in-time
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders equity	`StockholdersEquity`	$424.79B	USD	Point-in-time
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders equity	`StockholdersEquity`	$348.70B	USD	Point-in-time
Noncontrolling interests	`MinorityInterest`	$3.80B	USD	Point-in-time
Noncontrolling interests	`MinorityInterest`	$3.77B	USD	Point-in-time
Total shareholders equity	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$428.56B	USD	Point-in-time
Total shareholders equity	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$351.95B	USD	Point-in-time
Total shareholders equity	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$352.50B	USD	Point-in-time
Total shareholders equity	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$285.43B	USD	Point-in-time
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	`LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity`	$817.73B	USD	Point-in-time
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	`LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity`	$707.79B	USD	Point-in-time

Income Statement 58 line items

Line Item	Tag	Value	Unit	Period
Economic equivalent of Class B share to Class A share	`EconomicEquivalentPercentageOfClassBCommonShareToClassACommonShare`	0.00	pure	Point-in-time
Sales and service revenues	`RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax`	$175.44B	USD	Annual
Sales and service revenues	`RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax`	$176.51B	USD	Annual
Total revenues	`Revenues`	$62.20B	USD	1 Quarter
Total revenues	`Revenues`	$63.60B	USD	1 Quarter
Total revenues	`Revenues`	$65.37B	USD	1 Quarter
Total revenues	`Revenues`	$254.62B	USD	Annual
Total revenues	`Revenues`	$58.47B	USD	1 Quarter
Total revenues	`Revenues`	$63.45B	USD	1 Quarter
Total revenues	`Revenues`	$63.71B	USD	1 Quarter
Total revenues	`Revenues`	$247.84B	USD	Annual
Total revenues	`Revenues`	$60.68B	USD	1 Quarter
Total revenues	`Revenues`	$64.97B	USD	1 Quarter
Total revenues	`Revenues`	$239.93B	USD	Annual
Investment gains (losses)	`GainLossOnInvestments`	$71.12B	USD	Annual
Investment gains (losses)	`GainLossOnInvestments`	$-22.16B	USD	Annual
Investment gains (losses)	`GainLossOnInvestments`	$1.41B	USD	Annual
Derivative contract gains (losses)	`GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax`	$718.00M	USD	Annual
Derivative contract gains (losses)	`GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax`	$1.48B	USD	Annual
Derivative contract gains (losses)	`GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax`	$-300.00M	USD	Annual
Investment and derivative gains/losses	`NonoperatingIncomeExpense`	$-22.45B	USD	Annual
Investment and derivative gains/losses	`NonoperatingIncomeExpense`	$2.13B	USD	Annual
Investment and derivative gains/losses	`NonoperatingIncomeExpense`	$72.61B	USD	Annual
Interest expense	`InterestExpense`	$3.96B	USD	Annual
Interest expense	`InterestExpense`	$4.39B	USD	Annual
Interest expense	`InterestExpense`	$3.85B	USD	Annual
Total costs and expenses	`CostsAndExpenses`	$219.21B	USD	Annual
Total costs and expenses	`CostsAndExpenses`	$221.24B	USD	Annual
Total costs and expenses	`CostsAndExpenses`	$225.70B	USD	Annual
Earnings before income taxes and equity method earnings (losses)	`IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments`	$101.52B	USD	Annual
Earnings before income taxes and equity method earnings (losses)	`IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments`	$6.17B	USD	Annual
Earnings before income taxes and equity method earnings (losses)	`IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments`	$20.82B	USD	Annual
Equity method earnings (losses)	`IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments`	$1.18B	USD	Annual
Equity method earnings (losses)	`IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments`	$3.01B	USD	Annual
Equity method earnings (losses)	`IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments`	$-2.17B	USD	Annual
Earnings before income taxes	`IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest`	$4.00B	USD	Annual
Earnings before income taxes	`IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest`	$23.84B	USD	Annual
Earnings before income taxes	`IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest`	$102.70B	USD	Annual
Income tax expense (benefit)	`IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit`	$-321.00M	USD	Annual
Income tax expense (benefit)	`IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit`	$20.90B	USD	Annual
Income tax expense (benefit)	`IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit`	$-21.52B	USD	Annual
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$45.35B	USD	Annual
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$81.79B	USD	Annual
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$4.32B	USD	Annual
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	`NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$413.00M	USD	Annual
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	`NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$375.00M	USD	Annual
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	`NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$301.00M	USD	Annual
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`NetIncomeLoss`	$4.02B	USD	Annual
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`NetIncomeLoss`	$16.52B	USD	1 Quarter
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`NetIncomeLoss`	$-25.39B	USD	1 Quarter
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`NetIncomeLoss`	$14.07B	USD	1 Quarter
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`NetIncomeLoss`	$29.16B	USD	1 Quarter
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`NetIncomeLoss`	$18.54B	USD	1 Quarter
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`NetIncomeLoss`	$44.94B	USD	Annual
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`NetIncomeLoss`	$81.42B	USD	Annual
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`NetIncomeLoss`	$21.66B	USD	1 Quarter
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`NetIncomeLoss`	$-1.14B	USD	1 Quarter
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`NetIncomeLoss`	$12.01B	USD	1 Quarter

Cash Flow Statement 97 line items

Line Item	Tag	Value	Unit	Period
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$45.35B	USD	Annual
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$81.79B	USD	Annual
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$4.32B	USD	Annual
Investment gains/losses	`GainLossOnInvestments`	$71.12B	USD	Annual
Investment gains/losses	`GainLossOnInvestments`	$-22.16B	USD	Annual
Investment gains/losses	`GainLossOnInvestments`	$1.41B	USD	Annual
Depreciation and amortization	`DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization`	$9.19B	USD	Annual
Depreciation and amortization	`DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization`	$9.78B	USD	Annual
Depreciation and amortization	`DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization`	$10.06B	USD	Annual
Other	`OtherNoncashIncomeExpense`	$1.25B	USD	Annual
Other	`OtherNoncashIncomeExpense`	$-2.96B	USD	Annual
Other	`OtherNoncashIncomeExpense`	$-458.00M	USD	Annual
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	`IncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseReserve`	$3.45B	USD	Annual
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	`IncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseReserve`	$6.09B	USD	Annual
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	`IncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseReserve`	$25.03B	USD	Annual
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	`IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredChargesReinsuranceAssumed`	$-357.00M	USD	Annual
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	`IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredChargesReinsuranceAssumed`	$7.23B	USD	Annual
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	`IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredChargesReinsuranceAssumed`	$-1.17B	USD	Annual
Unearned premiums	`IncreaseDecreaseInUnearnedPremiums`	$1.79B	USD	Annual
Unearned premiums	`IncreaseDecreaseInUnearnedPremiums`	$1.76B	USD	Annual
Unearned premiums	`IncreaseDecreaseInUnearnedPremiums`	$1.71B	USD	Annual
Receivables and originated loans	`IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables`	$1.99B	USD	Annual
Receivables and originated loans	`IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables`	$3.44B	USD	Annual
Receivables and originated loans	`IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables`	$2.30B	USD	Annual
Other assets	`IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets`	$1.67B	USD	Annual
Other assets	`IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets`	$2.01B	USD	Annual
Other assets	`IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets`	$1.83B	USD	Annual
Other liabilities	`IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities`	$190.00M	USD	Annual
Other liabilities	`IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities`	$2.00B	USD	Annual
Other liabilities	`IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities`	$1.19B	USD	Annual
Income taxes	`IncreaseDecreaseInIncomeTaxes`	$-24.96B	USD	Annual
Income taxes	`IncreaseDecreaseInIncomeTaxes`	$-4.96B	USD	Annual
Income taxes	`IncreaseDecreaseInIncomeTaxes`	$15.18B	USD	Annual
Net cash flows from operating activities	`NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities`	$37.40B	USD	Annual
Net cash flows from operating activities	`NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities`	$45.73B	USD	Annual
Net cash flows from operating activities	`NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities`	$38.69B	USD	Annual
Purchases of equity securities	`PaymentsToAcquireEquitySecurities`	$18.64B	USD	Annual
Purchases of equity securities	`PaymentsToAcquireEquitySecurities`	$20.33B	USD	Annual
Purchases of equity securities	`PaymentsToAcquireEquitySecurities`	$43.21B	USD	Annual
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	`ProceedsFromSalesAndRedemptionsOfEquitySecurities`	$19.51B	USD	Annual
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	`ProceedsFromSalesAndRedemptionsOfEquitySecurities`	$18.78B	USD	Annual
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	`ProceedsFromSalesAndRedemptionsOfEquitySecurities`	$14.34B	USD	Annual
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	`PaymentsToAcquireUSTreasuryBillsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt`	$141.84B	USD	Annual
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	`PaymentsToAcquireUSTreasuryBillsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt`	$136.12B	USD	Annual
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	`PaymentsToAcquireUSTreasuryBillsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt`	$158.49B	USD	Annual
Sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	`ProceedsFromSaleOfUSTreasuryBillsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt`	$15.93B	USD	Annual
Sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	`ProceedsFromSaleOfUSTreasuryBillsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt`	$49.33B	USD	Annual
Sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	`ProceedsFromSaleOfUSTreasuryBillsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt`	$39.69B	USD	Annual
Redemptions and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	`ProceedsFromRedemptionsAndMaturitiesOfUSTreasuryBillsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt`	$113.05B	USD	Annual
Redemptions and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	`ProceedsFromRedemptionsAndMaturitiesOfUSTreasuryBillsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt`	$86.73B	USD	Annual
Redemptions and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	`ProceedsFromRedemptionsAndMaturitiesOfUSTreasuryBillsAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt`	$137.77B	USD	Annual
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	`PaymentsToAcquireLoansReceivable`	$1.44B	USD	Annual
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	`PaymentsToAcquireLoansReceivable`	$75.00M	USD	Annual
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	`PaymentsToAcquireLoansReceivable`	$1.77B	USD	Annual
Collections of loans and finance receivables	`ProceedsFromCollectionOfLoansReceivable`	$342.00M	USD	Annual
Collections of loans and finance receivables	`ProceedsFromCollectionOfLoansReceivable`	$1.70B	USD	Annual
Collections of loans and finance receivables	`ProceedsFromCollectionOfLoansReceivable`	$345.00M	USD	Annual
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	`PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired`	$3.28B	USD	Annual
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	`PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired`	$2.71B	USD	Annual
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	`PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired`	$1.68B	USD	Annual
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and equipment held for lease	`PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment`	$14.54B	USD	Annual
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and equipment held for lease	`PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment`	$15.98B	USD	Annual
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and equipment held for lease	`PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment`	$11.71B	USD	Annual
Other	`PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities`	$3.61B	USD	Annual
Other	`PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities`	$71.00M	USD	Annual
Other	`PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities`	$1.50B	USD	Annual
Net cash flows from investing activities	`NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities`	$-41.01B	USD	Annual
Net cash flows from investing activities	`NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities`	$-32.85B	USD	Annual
Net cash flows from investing activities	`NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities`	$-5.62B	USD	Annual
Changes in short term borrowings, net	`ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt`	$2.08B	USD	Annual
Changes in short term borrowings, net	`ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt`	$-1.94B	USD	Annual
Changes in short term borrowings, net	`ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt`	$266.00M	USD	Annual
Acquisition of treasury stock	`PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock`	$4.85B	USD	Annual
Acquisition of treasury stock	`PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock`	$1.35B	USD	Annual
Other	`ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities`	$-497.00M	USD	Annual
Other	`ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities`	$-343.00M	USD	Annual
Other	`ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities`	$-121.00M	USD	Annual
Net cash flows from financing activities	`NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities`	$730.00M	USD	Annual
Net cash flows from financing activities	`NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities`	$-5.81B	USD	Annual
Net cash flows from financing activities	`NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities`	$-1.40B	USD	Annual
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	`EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents`	$-140.00M	USD	Annual
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	`EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents`	$248.00M	USD	Annual
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	`EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents`	$25.00M	USD	Annual
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	`CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect`	$33.82B	USD	Annual
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	`CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect`	$3.57B	USD	Annual
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	`CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect`	$-1.40B	USD	Annual
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	`CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents`	$64.63B	USD	Point-in-time
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	`CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents`	$32.21B	USD	Point-in-time
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	`CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents`	$28.64B	USD	Point-in-time
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	`CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents`	$30.81B	USD	Point-in-time
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	`CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents`	$64.63B	USD	Point-in-time
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	`CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents`	$32.21B	USD	Point-in-time
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	`CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents`	$28.64B	USD	Point-in-time
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	`CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents`	$30.81B	USD	Point-in-time
Restricted cash, included in other assets at end of year	`RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents`	$450.00M	USD	Point-in-time
Restricted cash, included in other assets at end of year	`RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents`	$457.00M	USD	Point-in-time
Restricted cash, included in other assets at end of year	`RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents`	$629.00M	USD	Point-in-time

Stockholders Equity 21 line items

Line Item	Tag	Value	Unit	Period
Beginning Balance	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$428.56B	USD	Point-in-time
Beginning Balance	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$351.95B	USD	Point-in-time
Beginning Balance	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$352.50B	USD	Point-in-time
Beginning Balance	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$285.43B	USD	Point-in-time
Adoption of new accounting pronouncements	`NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification`	$-70.00M	USD	Annual
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$45.35B	USD	Annual
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$81.79B	USD	Annual
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$4.32B	USD	Annual
Other comprehensive income, net	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax`	$-2.26B	USD	Annual
Other comprehensive income, net	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax`	$-198.00M	USD	Annual
Other comprehensive income, net	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax`	$21.41B	USD	Annual
Issuance (acquisition) of common stock	`SharesIssuedAndRepurchased`	$-5.00B	USD	Annual
Issuance (acquisition) of common stock	`SharesIssuedAndRepurchased`	$-1.29B	USD	Annual
Issuance of common stock	`StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues`	$76.00M	USD	Annual
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	`IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransactionsWithNoncontrollingInterests`	$-156.00M	USD	Annual
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	`IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransactionsWithNoncontrollingInterests`	$-318.00M	USD	Annual
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	`IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransactionsWithNoncontrollingInterests`	$-536.00M	USD	Annual
Ending Balance	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$428.56B	USD	Point-in-time
Ending Balance	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$351.95B	USD	Point-in-time
Ending Balance	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$352.50B	USD	Point-in-time
Ending Balance	`StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$285.43B	USD	Point-in-time

Comprehensive Income 42 line items

Line Item	Tag	Value	Unit	Period
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$45.35B	USD	Annual
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$81.79B	USD	Annual
Net earnings	`ProfitLoss`	$4.32B	USD	Annual
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax`	$204.00M	USD	Annual
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax`	$-185.00M	USD	Annual
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax`	$30.45B	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax`	$44.00M	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax`	$10.57B	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax`	$-31.00M	USD	Annual
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesBeforeTax`	$62.00M	USD	Annual
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesBeforeTax`	$253.00M	USD	Annual
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesBeforeTax`	$1.40B	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesTax`	$490.00M	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesTax`	$53.00M	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesTax`	$13.00M	USD	Annual
Foreign currency translation	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax`	$-1.53B	USD	Annual
Foreign currency translation	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax`	$323.00M	USD	Annual
Foreign currency translation	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax`	$2.36B	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax`	$-62.00M	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax`	$28.00M	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax`	$95.00M	USD	Annual
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentBeforeTax`	$711.00M	USD	Annual
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentBeforeTax`	$571.00M	USD	Annual
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentBeforeTax`	$-225.00M	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax`	$155.00M	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax`	$-45.00M	USD	Annual
Applicable income taxes	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax`	$143.00M	USD	Annual
Other, net	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherNetOfTax`	$-12.00M	USD	Annual
Other, net	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherNetOfTax`	$-48.00M	USD	Annual
Other, net	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherNetOfTax`	$-9.00M	USD	Annual
Other comprehensive income, net	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax`	$-2.26B	USD	Annual
Other comprehensive income, net	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax`	$-198.00M	USD	Annual
Other comprehensive income, net	`OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax`	$21.41B	USD	Annual
Comprehensive income	`ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$81.59B	USD	Annual
Comprehensive income	`ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$66.77B	USD	Annual
Comprehensive income	`ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$2.06B	USD	Annual
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	`ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$555.00M	USD	Annual
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	`ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$405.00M	USD	Annual
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	`ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest`	$249.00M	USD	Annual
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax`	$81.19B	USD	Annual
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax`	$66.21B	USD	Annual
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	`ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax`	$1.81B	USD	Annual

Data is extracted from SEC EDGAR XBRL filings. Values shown are as reported in the filing.