Note to Condensed Financial Information - Narrative (Detail)
€ in Millions, $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended |
12 Months Ended |
|
|
|
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2015 |
Dec. 31, 2013 |
Dec. 31, 2018
EUR (€)
|
Dec. 31, 2017
EUR (€)
|
| Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |
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| Debt maturities: 2019 |
|
$ 12,212
|
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| Debt maturities: 2020 |
|
5,589
|
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|
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| Debt maturities: 2021 |
|
5,521
|
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|
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| Debt maturities: 2022 |
|
4,962
|
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|
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| Debt maturities: 2023 |
|
9,437
|
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| Income tax net benefit - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 |
$ 28,200
|
|
$ 28,200
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| Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] |
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| Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |
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| Debt maturities: 2019 |
|
752
|
|
|
|
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| Debt maturities: 2020 |
|
1,149
|
|
|
|
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| Debt maturities: 2021 |
|
2,131
|
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|
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| Debt maturities: 2022 |
|
613
|
|
|
|
|
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| Debt maturities: 2023 |
|
3,991
|
|
|
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|
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| Guarantee of subsidiary debt obligations |
|
$ 12,400
|
|
|
|
|
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| Income tax net benefit - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 |
|
|
$ 550
|
|
|
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| Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Heinz Holding Company [Member] |
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| Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |
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| Equity method investment ownership percentage after transactions |
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50.00%
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|
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| Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | The Kraft Heinz Company [Member] |
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| Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |
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| Equity method investment ownership percentage after transactions |
|
26.70%
|
|
26.80%
|
|
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| Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Euro Denominated [Member] |
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| Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |
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| Principal amount of debt issued | € |
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€ 6,850
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€ 6,850
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