Condensed Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions |
Dec. 31, 2018 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2015 |
| Assets: |
|
|
|
|
| Total assets |
$ 707,794
|
$ 702,095
|
$ 620,854
|
|
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: |
|
|
|
|
| Income taxes, principally deferred |
51,375
|
56,607
|
|
|
| Total liabilities |
355,294
|
350,141
|
|
|
| Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity |
348,703
|
348,296
|
|
|
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
707,794
|
702,095
|
|
|
| Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] |
|
|
|
|
| Assets: |
|
|
|
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
3,437
|
4,039
|
$ 3,221
|
$ 10,609
|
| Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills |
22,957
|
13,132
|
|
|
| Investments in and advances to/from consolidated subsidiaries |
328,898
|
335,668
|
|
|
| Investment in The Kraft Heinz Company |
13,813
|
17,635
|
|
|
| Other assets |
80
|
79
|
|
|
| Total assets |
369,185
|
370,553
|
|
|
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: |
|
|
|
|
| Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities |
1,507
|
196
|
|
|
| Income taxes, principally deferred |
2,104
|
3,294
|
|
|
| Notes payable and other borrowings |
16,871
|
18,767
|
|
|
| Total liabilities |
20,482
|
22,257
|
|
|
| Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity |
348,703
|
348,296
|
|
|
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$ 369,185
|
$ 370,553
|
|
|