$BRK-B
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC Stock $brk-b

$brk-b Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2010 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312511048914 Filed on February 28, 2011

Income Statement

Concept	2010	2009 Q4	2009 Q3
Revenue	$136.2B	$30.20B	$29.90B
YoY Change	21.06%	22.8%	7.08%
Cost Of Revenue	$104.0B	$22.40B	$21.76B
YoY Change	18.39%	7.98%	-5.92%
Gross Profit	$32.23B	$7.796B	$8.149B
YoY Change	30.56%	102.76%	69.66%
Gross Profit Margin	23.66%	25.82%	27.25%
Selling, General & Admin	$7.704B	$2.066B	$2.015B
YoY Change	-5.09%	-9.47%	8.28%
% of Gross Profit	23.91%	26.5%	24.73%
Research & Development
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Depreciation & Amortization	$4.279B	$812.0M	$779.0M
YoY Change	36.84%	9.88%	-62.39%
% of Gross Profit	13.28%	10.42%	9.56%
Operating Expenses	$10.62B	$2.831B	$2.816B
YoY Change	-4.68%	-12.0%	1.04%
Operating Profit	$17.27B	$4.965B	$5.333B
YoY Change	54.79%	690.61%	164.53%
Interest Expense	-$2.558B	-$500.0M	-$494.0M
YoY Change	28.41%	4.17%	-3.89%
% of Operating Profit	-14.81%	-10.07%	-9.26%
Other Income/Expense, Net
YoY Change
Pretax Income	$19.05B	$4.465B	$4.839B
YoY Change	64.92%	2916.89%	222.17%
Income Tax	$5.607B	$1.431B	$1.601B
% Of Pretax Income	29.43%	32.05%	33.09%
Net Earnings	$12.97B	$3.056B	$3.238B
YoY Change	60.98%	2511.97%	206.34%
Net Earnings / Revenue	9.52%	10.12%	10.83%
Basic Earnings Per Share		$1.969K	$2.087K
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$6.484B	$1.528B	$1.619B
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding	1.636M shares	1.057M shares	1.552M shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding

Balance Sheet

Concept	2010	2009 Q4	2009 Q3
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments	$38.23B	$30.56B	$26.92B
YoY Change	25.1%	19.65%	-19.33%
Cash & Equivalents	$38.23B	$30.56B	$26.92B
Short-Term Investments
Other Short-Term Assets
YoY Change
Inventory	$7.101B	$6.147B	$6.051B
Prepaid Expenses
Receivables	$11.84B
Other Receivables	$9.077B
Total Short-Term Assets	$66.25B	$51.50B	$49.02B
YoY Change	28.64%	7.37%	-13.73%
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$93.13B	$46.66B	$47.00B
YoY Change	99.6%	3.32%	5.88%
Goodwill		$33.97B
YoY Change		0.57%
Intangibles
YoY Change
Long-Term Investments	$117.7B	$126.3B	$124.4B
YoY Change	-6.8%	23.53%	12.75%
Other Assets
YoY Change
Total Long-Term Assets	$306.0B	$245.6B	$243.0B
YoY Change	24.58%	11.93%	8.04%
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets	$66.25B	$51.50B	$49.02B
Total Long-Term Assets	$306.0B	$245.6B	$243.0B
Total Assets	$372.2B	$297.1B	$292.0B
YoY Change	25.28%	11.11%	3.65%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable	$29.36B	$22.36B	$23.68B
YoY Change	31.3%	-6.11%	15.1%
Accrued Expenses
YoY Change
Deferred Revenue
YoY Change
Short-Term Debt	$1.682B	$1.607B	$0.00
YoY Change	4.67%
Long-Term Debt Due
YoY Change
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$75.39B	$31.89B	$32.44B
YoY Change	47.48%	0.68%	12.87%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$56.89B	$36.30B	$38.02B
YoY Change	56.72%	-1.57%	1.23%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$77.01B	$73.91B	$73.97B
YoY Change	4.19%	-1.25%	-0.06%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$133.9B	$110.2B	$112.0B
YoY Change	21.49%	-1.36%	0.38%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$75.39B	$31.89B	$32.44B
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$133.9B	$110.2B	$112.0B
Total Liabilities	$214.9B	$161.3B	$161.3B
YoY Change	29.45%	4.97%	-0.15%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings		$86.23B	$83.17B
YoY Change		10.3%
Common Stock		$27.08B
YoY Change		-0.22%
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)
YoY Change
Treasury Stock Shares
Shareholders Equity	$157.3B	$131.1B	$126.1B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$372.2B	$297.1B	$292.0B
YoY Change	25.28%	11.11%	3.65%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2010	2009 Q4	2009 Q3
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$12.97B	$3.056B	$3.238B
YoY Change	60.98%	2511.97%	206.34%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization	$4.279B	$812.0M	$779.0M
YoY Change	36.84%	9.88%	-62.39%
Cash From Operating Activities	$17.90B	$3.820B	$4.529B
YoY Change	12.93%	35.27%	31.77%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures	$5.980B	-$1.134B	-$1.170B
YoY Change	21.13%	-41.46%	-29.65%
Acquisitions
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	$476.0M	$1.102B	-$318.0M
YoY Change	-140.34%	-113.59%	-65.95%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$18.28B	-$32.00M	-$1.488B
YoY Change	63.76%	-99.68%	-42.7%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net
YoY Change
Debt Paid & Issued, Net
YoY Change
Cash From Financing Activities	$8.125B	-154.0M	-689.0M
YoY Change	3387.12%	-67.23%	-145.93%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	$17.90B	3.820B	4.529B
Cash From Investing Activities	-$18.28B	-32.00M	-1.488B
Cash From Financing Activities	$8.125B	-154.0M	-689.0M
Net Change In Cash	$7.743B	3.634B	2.352B
YoY Change	57.44%	-147.25%	0.51%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	$17.90B	$3.820B	$4.529B
Capital Expenditures	$5.980B	-$1.134B	-$1.170B
Free Cash Flow	$11.92B	$4.954B	$5.699B
YoY Change	9.22%	4.05%	11.75%

Facts In Submission

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CY2010	dei	Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag	false
CY2010	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2010-12-31
CY2010	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC
CY2010	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0001067983
CY2010	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
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CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	11552000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	3538000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	427000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	8441000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	386000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	8055000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	1551174000000	shares
CY2008	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	107786000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Gain Loss On Investments Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairments GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments	1173000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Pretax GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax	-6821000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Costs And Expenses CostsAndExpenses	100212000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	7574000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1978000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	5596000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	602000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	4994000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	1548960000000	shares
CY2008	us-gaap	Incurred Claims Property Casualty And Liability IncurredClaimsPropertyCasualtyAndLiability	16259000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Investments GainLossOnInvestments	-640000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	2810000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Adjustments Noncash Items To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Other AdjustmentsNoncashItemsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesOther	-1248000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Loss And Loss Adjustment Expense Reserve IncreaseDecreaseInLossAndLossAdjustmentExpenseReserve	-1466000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Increase Decrease In Deferred Charges Reinsurance Assumed IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredChargesReinsuranceAssumed	64000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Unearned Premiums IncreaseDecreaseInUnearnedPremiums	1311000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables	2222000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Increase Decrease In Derivative Contract Assets And Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInDerivativeContractAssetsAndLiabilities	-7827000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Increase Decrease In Income Taxes IncreaseDecreaseInIncomeTaxes	-2057000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Capital Net IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingCapitalNet	2935000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	11252000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Payments To Acquire Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities	9819000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Payments To Acquire Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities	10798000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Payments To Acquire Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities	35615000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Payments To Acquire Marketable Securities Equity Securities PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities	4265000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Payments To Acquire Marketable Securities Equity Securities PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities	4570000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Payments To Acquire Marketable Securities Equity Securities PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities	10140000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Other Investments PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments	7068000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Other Investments PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments	14452000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Proceeds From Sale Of Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities ProceedsFromSaleOfMarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities	5435000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Proceeds From Sale Of Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities ProceedsFromSaleOfMarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities	4338000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Proceeds From Sale Of Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities ProceedsFromSaleOfMarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities	14796000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Proceeds From Redemptions And Maturities Of Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities ProceedsFromRedemptionsAndMaturitiesOfMarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities	6517000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Proceeds From Redemptions And Maturities Of Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities ProceedsFromRedemptionsAndMaturitiesOfMarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities	5234000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Proceeds From Redemptions And Maturities Of Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities ProceedsFromRedemptionsAndMaturitiesOfMarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities	18550000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Proceeds From Sale Of Marketable Securities Equity Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfMarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities	5886000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Proceeds From Sale Of Marketable Securities Equity Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfMarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities	5626000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Proceeds From Sale Of Marketable Securities Equity Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfMarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities	6840000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Loans Receivable PaymentsToAcquireLoansReceivable	3149000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Loans Receivable PaymentsToAcquireLoansReceivable	854000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Loans Receivable PaymentsToAcquireLoansReceivable	1446000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Collection Of Loans Receivable ProceedsFromCollectionOfLoansReceivable	3498000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Collection Of Loans Receivable ProceedsFromCollectionOfLoansReceivable	796000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Proceeds From Collection Of Loans Receivable ProceedsFromCollectionOfLoansReceivable	740000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	15924000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	108000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	6050000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	5980000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	4937000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	6138000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	476000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-1180000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-849000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-18277000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-11161000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-32066000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	370000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	-885000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	1183000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Payments To Minority Shareholders And Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities PaymentsToMinorityShareholdersAndProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	95000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Payments To Minority Shareholders And Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities PaymentsToMinorityShareholdersAndProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	410000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Payments To Minority Shareholders And Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities PaymentsToMinorityShareholdersAndProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	132000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	8125000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	233000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	2286000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	-74000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	101000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	-262000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	7669000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	5019000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-18790000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Availableforsale Securities Adjustment Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesAdjustmentBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-23342000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Availableforsale Securities Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-8257000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Reclassification Of Investment Appreciation In Net Earnings Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent ReclassificationOfInvestmentAppreciationInNetEarningsBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	2768000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Reclassification Of Investment Appreciation In Net Earnings Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent ReclassificationOfInvestmentAppreciationInNetEarningsBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	895000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Reclassification Of Investment Appreciation In Net Earnings Tax Portion Attributable To Parent ReclassificationOfInvestmentAppreciationInNetEarningsTaxPortionAttributableToParent	313000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-2140000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-118000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	1071000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansTaxPortionAttributableToParent	389000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Other Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-60000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-17267000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	-12273000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	-347000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities Amortized Cost MarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturitiesAmortizedCost	31839000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities Unrealized Gain At Reporting Date MarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturitiesUnrealizedGainAtReportingDate	3131000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities Unrealized Loss At Reporting Date MarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturitiesUnrealizedLossAtReportingDate	87000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities MarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities	34883000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses MarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturitiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses	24000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses MarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturitiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses	471000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Marketable Securities Equity Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses MarketableSecuritiesEquitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses	531000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Raw Materials InventoryRawMaterials	1066000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Inventory Work In Process And Other Inventory InventoryWorkInProcessAndOtherInventory	509000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Finished Goods InventoryFinishedGoods	2180000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Inventory Purchased Goods OtherInventoryPurchasedGoods	3346000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Raw Materials InventoryRawMaterials	908000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Inventory Work In Process And Other Inventory InventoryWorkInProcessAndOtherInventory	438000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Finished Goods InventoryFinishedGoods	1975000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Other Inventory Purchased Goods OtherInventoryPurchasedGoods	2826000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	3530000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Reinsurance Recoverables And Deferred Charges ReinsuranceRecoverablesAndDeferredCharges	6879000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Incurred Claims Current Year LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaimsCurrentYear	20357000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Incurred Claims Prior Years LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaimsPriorYears	-2270000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Incurred Claims LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaims	18087000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Claims Paid Current Year LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidCurrentYear	-7666000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Claims Paid Prior Years LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidPriorYears	-9191000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Claims Paid LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaid	-16857000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Reinsurance Recoverables And Deferred Charges ReinsuranceRecoverablesAndDeferredCharges	6545000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Foreign Currency Translation LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseForeignCurrencyTranslation	-312000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Acquisitions LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAcquisitions	75000000	usd
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Property Casualty Liability LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePropertyCasualtyLiability	56620000000	usd
CY2008Q4	brka	Reinsurance Recoverables And Deferred Charges ReinsuranceRecoverablesAndDeferredCharges	7133000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Incurred Claims Current Year LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaimsCurrentYear	19156000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Incurred Claims Prior Years LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaimsPriorYears	-905000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Incurred Claims LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaims	18251000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Claims Paid Current Year LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidCurrentYear	-7207000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Claims Paid Prior Years LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidPriorYears	-8315000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Claims Paid LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaid	-15522000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Foreign Currency Translation LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseForeignCurrencyTranslation	232000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Acquisitions LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAcquisitions	89000000	usd
CY2007Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Property Casualty Liability LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePropertyCasualtyLiability	56002000000	usd
CY2007Q4	brka	Reinsurance Recoverables And Deferred Charges ReinsuranceRecoverablesAndDeferredCharges	7126000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Incurred Claims Current Year LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaimsCurrentYear	17399000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Incurred Claims Prior Years LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaimsPriorYears	-1140000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Incurred Claims LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaims	16259000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Claims Paid Current Year LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidCurrentYear	-6905000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Claims Paid Prior Years LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidPriorYears	-8486000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Claims Paid LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaid	-15391000000	usd
CY2008Q4	brka	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Foreign Currency Translation LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseForeignCurrencyTranslation	-616000000	usd
CY2008Q4	brka	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Acquisitions LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAcquisitions	359000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Opening Balance Adjustments LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseOpeningBalanceAdjustments	2626000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Opening Balance Adjustments LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseOpeningBalanceAdjustments	1507000000	usd
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Opening Balance Adjustments LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseOpeningBalanceAdjustments	1690000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Amortization Of Deferred Charges Reinsurance Assumed AmortizationOfDeferredChargesReinsuranceAssumed	261000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Amortization Of Deferred Charges Reinsurance Assumed AmortizationOfDeferredChargesReinsuranceAssumed	504000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Amortization Of Deferred Charges Reinsurance Assumed AmortizationOfDeferredChargesReinsuranceAssumed	451000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Discounted Workers Compensation Liabilities DiscountedWorkersCompensationLiabilities	2315000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Discounted Workers Compensation Liabilities DiscountedWorkersCompensationLiabilities	2356000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Discount On Workers Compensation Liabilities DiscountOnWorkersCompensationLiabilities	2269000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Discount On Workers Compensation Liabilities DiscountOnWorkersCompensationLiabilities	2473000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Accretion Of Discount Included In Prior Years Incurred Losses AccretionOfDiscountIncludedInPriorYearsIncurredLosses	95000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Accretion Of Discount Included In Prior Years Incurred Losses AccretionOfDiscountIncludedInPriorYearsIncurredLosses	98000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Accretion Of Discount Included In Prior Years Incurred Losses AccretionOfDiscountIncludedInPriorYearsIncurredLosses	99000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Asbestos And Environmental Claims Net LiabilityForAsbestosAndEnvironmentalClaimsNet	12400000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Asbestos And Environmental Claims Net LiabilityForAsbestosAndEnvironmentalClaimsNet	10600000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Liability For Asbestos And Environmental Claims Related To Retroactive Reinsurance Contracts LiabilityForAsbestosAndEnvironmentalClaimsRelatedToRetroactiveReinsuranceContracts	10700000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Liability For Asbestos And Environmental Claims Related To Retroactive Reinsurance Contracts LiabilityForAsbestosAndEnvironmentalClaimsRelatedToRetroactiveReinsuranceContracts	9100000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Current AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent	-211000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	-35558000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Other Income Tax Liabilities OtherIncomeTaxLiabilities	1005000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Current AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent	-396000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	-18695000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Other Income Tax Liabilities OtherIncomeTaxLiabilities	926000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Deferred Tax Liabilities Unrealized Gains Losses On Available For Sale Securities And Other Comprehensive Income DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUnrealizedGainsLossesOnAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAndOtherComprehensiveIncome	13376000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Charges Reinsurance Assumed DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredChargesReinsuranceAssumed	1334000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	24746000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	5108000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	44564000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Deferred Tax Liabilities Unrealized Gains Losses On Available For Sale Securities And Other Comprehensive Income DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUnrealizedGainsLossesOnAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAndOtherComprehensiveIncome	11880000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Charges Reinsurance Assumed DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredChargesReinsuranceAssumed	1385000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	8135000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	4236000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	25636000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Loss Reserves DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsLossReserves	1052000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Unearned Premiums Reserve DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsUnearnedPremiumsReserve	508000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Accrued Liabilities DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsAccruedLiabilities	3652000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Derivative Instruments DeferredTaxAssetsDerivativeInstruments	862000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	2932000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	9006000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Loss Reserves DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsLossReserves	1010000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Unearned Premiums Reserve DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsUnearnedPremiumsReserve	500000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Accrued Liabilities DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsAccruedLiabilities	1643000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Derivative Instruments DeferredTaxAssetsDerivativeInstruments	875000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	2913000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	6941000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Undistributed Foreign Earnings Amount For Tax Disclosure UndistributedForeignEarningsAmountForTaxDisclosure	4100000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations FederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	4546000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations FederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	2833000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations FederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	915000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations StateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	337000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations StateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	124000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations StateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	249000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations ForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	724000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations ForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	581000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations ForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperations	814000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	3668000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1619000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	3811000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1939000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1919000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-1833000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	6668000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	4043000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	2651000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-27000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-33000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-88000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Deductions Dividends IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductionsDividends	-477000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Deductions Dividends IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductionsDividends	-479000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Deductions Dividends IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductionsDividends	-415000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	219000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	81000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	162000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	-154000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	-92000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	-59000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Non Taxable Exchange Of Investment NonTaxableExchangeOfInvestment	-154000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-280000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	18000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-119000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	1005000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	926000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	774000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Service Cost DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost	165000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Service Cost DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost	162000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Service Cost DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost	176000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Interest Cost DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost	543000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Interest Cost DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost	455000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Interest Cost DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost	452000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Return On Plan Assets DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets	528000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Return On Plan Assets DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets	417000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Return On Plan Assets DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets	463000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Defined Benefit Plan Other Expense DefinedBenefitPlanOtherExpense	69000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Defined Benefit Plan Other Expense DefinedBenefitPlanOtherExpense	35000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Defined Benefit Plan Other Expense DefinedBenefitPlanOtherExpense	20000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost	249000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost	235000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost	185000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Accumulated Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation	9954000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Accumulated Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation	7379000000	usd
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation	7587000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation	8136000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Benefits Paid DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid	-528000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Benefits Paid DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid	-408000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Net Gains Losses DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialNetGainsLosses	296000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Net Gains Losses DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialNetGainsLosses	340000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Benefit Obligation DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation	10598000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Defined Benefit Plan Benefit Obligation Unfunded DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationUnfunded	797000000	usd
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets	5322000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets	5926000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets	8246000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Contributions By Employer DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer	776000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Contributions By Employer DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer	224000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actual Return On Plan Assets DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets	795000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actual Return On Plan Assets DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets	749000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Defined Benefit Plan Expenses And Other DefinedBenefitPlanExpensesAndOther	-65000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Defined Benefit Plan Expenses And Other DefinedBenefitPlanExpensesAndOther	39000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year One DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInYearOne	588000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Two DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInYearTwo	606000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Three DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInYearThree	625000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Four DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInYearFour	645000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Five DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInYearFive	650000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Five Fiscal Years Thereafter DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsInFiveFiscalYearsThereafter	3431000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Estimated Future Employer Contributions In Next Fiscal Year DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear	340000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Pension And Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans Liabilities Current And Noncurrent PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent	-2425000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Assets For Plan Benefits Current And Noncurrent DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsCurrentAndNoncurrent	-73000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized In Balance Sheet DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheet	2352000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Pension And Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans Liabilities Current And Noncurrent PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent	-2288000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Assets For Plan Benefits Current And Noncurrent DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsCurrentAndNoncurrent	-78000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized In Balance Sheet DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheet	2210000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Net Gain Loss And Other Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetGainLossAndOtherBeforeTax	87000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Amounts That Will Be Amortized From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss In Next Fiscal Year DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsThatWillBeAmortizedFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossInNextFiscalYear	96000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	567000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	540000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	519000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Availableforsale Securities Adjustment Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesAdjustmentBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	5398000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Availableforsale Securities Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesTaxPortionAttributableToParent	1866000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Reclassification Of Investment Appreciation In Net Earnings Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent ReclassificationOfInvestmentAppreciationInNetEarningsBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-1068000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Reclassification Of Investment Appreciation In Net Earnings Tax Portion Attributable To Parent ReclassificationOfInvestmentAppreciationInNetEarningsTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-374000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	-172000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTaxPortionAttributableToParent	21000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Before Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent	76000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansTaxPortionAttributableToParent	25000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Other Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	195000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	2789000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	15756000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	-536000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Remainder Of Calendar Year End LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInRemainderOfCalendarYearEnd	8108000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Two Of Calendar Year End LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwoOfCalendarYearEnd	6919000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Three Of Calendar Year End LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThreeOfCalendarYearEnd	7468000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Four Of Calendar Year End LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFourOfCalendarYearEnd	2323000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Five Of Calendar Year End LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFiveOfCalendarYearEnd	4292000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Gain Loss On Investments And Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Pretax GainLossOnInvestmentsAndGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax	-7461000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Reconciling Items Revenue SegmentReportingReconcilingItemsRevenue	-54000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Interest Expense Excluding Interest Allocated To Operating Businesses InterestExpenseExcludingInterestAllocatedToOperatingBusinesses	91000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Segment Reporting Reconciling Item Eliminations And Other SegmentReportingReconcilingItemEliminationsAndOther	-217000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Segment Revenue SegmentReportingSegmentRevenue	115301000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Information Operating Income Loss SegmentReportingInformationOperatingIncomeLoss	15343000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Information Expenditures For Additions To Long Lived Assets SegmentReportingInformationExpendituresForAdditionsToLongLivedAssets	5980000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Information Depreciation Expense SegmentReportingInformationDepreciationExpense	4279000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Information Expenditures For Additions To Long Lived Assets SegmentReportingInformationExpendituresForAdditionsToLongLivedAssets	4937000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Information Depreciation Expense SegmentReportingInformationDepreciationExpense	3127000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Information Expenditures For Additions To Long Lived Assets SegmentReportingInformationExpendituresForAdditionsToLongLivedAssets	6138000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Information Depreciation Expense SegmentReportingInformationDepreciationExpense	2810000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Information Goodwill SegmentReportingInformationGoodwill	49006000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Information Assets SegmentReportingInformationAssets	315632000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Information Goodwill SegmentReportingInformationGoodwill	33972000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Segment Reporting Information Assets SegmentReportingInformationAssets	256302000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Premiums Written Net Property And Casualty PremiumsWrittenNetPropertyAndCasualty	25834000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Premiums Written Net Life And Health PremiumsWrittenNetLifeAndHealth	5082000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Premiums Written Net Property And Casualty PremiumsWrittenNetPropertyAndCasualty	25253000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Premiums Written Net Life And Health PremiumsWrittenNetLifeAndHealth	2630000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Premiums Written Net Property And Casualty PremiumsWrittenNetPropertyAndCasualty	24209000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Premiums Written Net Life And Health PremiumsWrittenNetLifeAndHealth	2588000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Direct Premiums Written Property And Casualty DirectPremiumsWrittenPropertyAndCasualty	17128000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Assumed Premiums Written Property And Casualty AssumedPremiumsWrittenPropertyAndCasualty	9171000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Ceded Premiums Written Property And Casualty CededPremiumsWrittenPropertyAndCasualty	-465000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Direct Premiums Written Life And Health DirectPremiumsWrittenLifeAndHealth	3000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Assumed Premiums Written Life And Health AssumedPremiumsWrittenLifeAndHealth	5203000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Ceded Premiums Written Life And Health CededPremiumsWrittenLifeAndHealth	124000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Direct Premiums Earned Property And Casualty DirectPremiumsEarnedPropertyAndCasualty	16932000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Assumed Premiums Earned Property And Casualty AssumedPremiumsEarnedPropertyAndCasualty	9266000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Ceded Premiums Earned Property And Casualty CededPremiumsEarnedPropertyAndCasualty	536000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Premiums Earned Net Property And Casualty PremiumsEarnedNetPropertyAndCasualty	25662000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Direct Premiums Earned Life And Health DirectPremiumsEarnedLifeAndHealth	3000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Assumed Premiums Earned Life And Health AssumedPremiumsEarnedLifeAndHealth	5208000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Ceded Premiums Earned Life And Health CededPremiumsEarnedLifeAndHealth	124000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Premiums Earned Net Life And Health PremiumsEarnedNetLifeAndHealth	5087000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Direct Premiums Written Property And Casualty DirectPremiumsWrittenPropertyAndCasualty	16484000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Assumed Premiums Written Property And Casualty AssumedPremiumsWrittenPropertyAndCasualty	9321000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Ceded Premiums Written Property And Casualty CededPremiumsWrittenPropertyAndCasualty	-552000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Assumed Premiums Written Life And Health AssumedPremiumsWrittenLifeAndHealth	2727000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Ceded Premiums Written Life And Health CededPremiumsWrittenLifeAndHealth	97000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Direct Premiums Earned Property And Casualty DirectPremiumsEarnedPropertyAndCasualty	16553000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Assumed Premiums Earned Property And Casualty AssumedPremiumsEarnedPropertyAndCasualty	9284000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Ceded Premiums Earned Property And Casualty CededPremiumsEarnedPropertyAndCasualty	579000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Premiums Earned Net Property And Casualty PremiumsEarnedNetPropertyAndCasualty	25258000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Assumed Premiums Earned Life And Health AssumedPremiumsEarnedLifeAndHealth	2723000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Ceded Premiums Earned Life And Health CededPremiumsEarnedLifeAndHealth	97000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Premiums Earned Net Life And Health PremiumsEarnedNetLifeAndHealth	2626000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Direct Premiums Written Property And Casualty DirectPremiumsWrittenPropertyAndCasualty	16953000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Assumed Premiums Written Property And Casualty AssumedPremiumsWrittenPropertyAndCasualty	7960000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Ceded Premiums Written Property And Casualty CededPremiumsWrittenPropertyAndCasualty	-704000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Assumed Premiums Written Life And Health AssumedPremiumsWrittenLifeAndHealth	2690000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Ceded Premiums Written Life And Health CededPremiumsWrittenLifeAndHealth	102000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Direct Premiums Earned Property And Casualty DirectPremiumsEarnedPropertyAndCasualty	16269000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Assumed Premiums Earned Property And Casualty AssumedPremiumsEarnedPropertyAndCasualty	7332000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Ceded Premiums Earned Property And Casualty CededPremiumsEarnedPropertyAndCasualty	656000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Premiums Earned Net Property And Casualty PremiumsEarnedNetPropertyAndCasualty	22945000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Assumed Premiums Earned Life And Health AssumedPremiumsEarnedLifeAndHealth	2682000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Ceded Premiums Earned Life And Health CededPremiumsEarnedLifeAndHealth	102000000	usd
CY2008	brka	Premiums Earned Net Life And Health PremiumsEarnedNetLifeAndHealth	2580000000	usd
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	32037000000	usd
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	31709000000	usd
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	36274000000	usd
CY2009Q1	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	22784000000	usd
CY2009Q2	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	29607000000	usd
CY2009Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	29904000000	usd
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	3633000000	usd
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1968000000	usd
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2989000000	usd
CY2009Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	-1534000000	usd
CY2009Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	3295000000	usd
CY2009Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	3238000000	usd
CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2272
CY2010Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1195
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1814
CY2009Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	-990
CY2009Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2123
CY2009Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2087
CY2010Q1	brka	Gain Loss On Investments And Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Of Tax GainLossOnInvestmentsAndGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetOfTax	1411000000	usd
CY2010Q2	brka	Gain Loss On Investments And Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Of Tax GainLossOnInvestmentsAndGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetOfTax	-1106000000	usd
CY2010Q3	brka	Gain Loss On Investments And Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Of Tax GainLossOnInvestmentsAndGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetOfTax	202000000	usd
CY2009Q1	brka	Gain Loss On Investments And Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Of Tax GainLossOnInvestmentsAndGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetOfTax	-3239000000	usd
CY2009Q2	brka	Gain Loss On Investments And Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Of Tax GainLossOnInvestmentsAndGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetOfTax	1515000000	usd
CY2009Q3	brka	Gain Loss On Investments And Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Of Tax GainLossOnInvestmentsAndGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetOfTax	1183000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer As Percent Of Original Cost Low UnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAsPercentOfOriginalCostLow	.03	pure
CY2010	brka	Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer As Percent Of Original Cost High UnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAsPercentOfOriginalCostHigh	.15	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpense	692000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpense	414000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpense	362000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year One FutureAmortizationExpenseYearOne	720000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Two FutureAmortizationExpenseYearTwo	700000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Three FutureAmortizationExpenseYearThree	681000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Four FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFour	632000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Five FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFive	345000000	usd
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	33781000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Income Tax Reconciliation Business Combination Holding Gain IncomeTaxReconciliationBusinessCombinationHoldingGain	-342000000	usd
CY2010	brka	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Net Gain Loss And Other Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetGainLossAndOtherBeforeTax	80000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation Discount Rate DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate	.054	pure
CY2010	brka	Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation Expected Long Term Return On Assets DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets	.071	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Rate Of Compensation Increase DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostRateOfCompensationIncrease	0.037	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Discount Rate DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate	0.054	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Expected Long Term Return On Assets DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets	0.071	pure
CY2009Q4	brka	Marketable Securities Equity Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses MarketableSecuritiesEquitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses	2700000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	36165000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	4377000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2656
CY2010Q4	brka	Gain Loss On Investments And Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Of Tax GainLossOnInvestmentsAndGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetOfTax	1367000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Intangible Assets Gross Carrying Amount IntangibleAssetsGrossCarryingAmount	9026000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	2122000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Intangible Assets Gross Carrying Amount IntangibleAssetsGrossCarryingAmount	6410000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	1656000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	30198000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	3056000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1969
CY2009Q4	brka	Gain Loss On Investments And Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Of Tax GainLossOnInvestmentsAndGainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetOfTax	1027000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Percentage Of Lifo Inventory PercentageOfLIFOInventory	0.39	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Percentage Of Fifo Inventory PercentageOfFIFOInventory	0.32	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Excess Of Replacement Or Current Costs Over Stated Lifo Value ExcessOfReplacementOrCurrentCostsOverStatedLIFOValue	637000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Excess Of Replacement Or Current Costs Over Stated Lifo Value ExcessOfReplacementOrCurrentCostsOverStatedLIFOValue	575000000	usd
CY2002Q4	brka	Workers Compensation Discount Percent Before Rate Change WorkersCompensationDiscountPercentBeforeRateChange	0.045	pure
	us-gaap	Workers Compensation Discount Percent WorkersCompensationDiscountPercent	0.01	pure
CY2010	brka	Unamortized Balances Of Deferred Charges Reinsurance Assumed UnamortizedBalancesOfDeferredChargesReinsuranceAssumed	3810000000	usd
CY2009	brka	Unamortized Balances Of Deferred Charges Reinsurance Assumed UnamortizedBalancesOfDeferredChargesReinsuranceAssumed	3957000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Net DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsNet	1768000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Net DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsNet	1770000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Assets RegulatoryAssets	2497000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Assets RegulatoryAssets	2093000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Liabilities RegulatoryLiabilities	1664000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Liabilities RegulatoryLiabilities	1603000000	usd
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	25539000000	usd
CY2007Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	44329000000	usd
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Business Combination Consideration Transferred BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred	6100000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets	1635000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets	1127000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation Discount Rate DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate	0.059	pure
CY2009	brka	Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation Expected Long Term Return On Assets DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets	0.069	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Rate Of Compensation Increase DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostRateOfCompensationIncrease	0.040	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Discount Rate DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate	0.059	pure
CY2009	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Expected Long Term Return On Assets DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets	0.069	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Multiemployer Plan Period Contributions MultiemployerPlanPeriodContributions	78000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Multiemployer Plan Period Contributions MultiemployerPlanPeriodContributions	22000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Multiemployer Plan Period Contributions MultiemployerPlanPeriodContributions	23000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	1204000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	701000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	725000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent	1156000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears	1043000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears	910000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears	816000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears	740000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter	4456000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue	9121000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due Within One Year RecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueWithinOneYear	9800000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due In Second Year RecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueInSecondYear	4400000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due In Third Year RecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueInThirdYear	4300000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due In Fourth Year RecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueInFourthYear	3100000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due In Fifth Year RecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueInFifthYear	2500000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due After Fifth Year RecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueAfterFifthYear	10800000000	usd
CY2008	us-gaap	Transfer Investments TransferInvestments	2329000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Before Foreign Currency And Acquisition Adjustments Net LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseBeforeForeignCurrencyAndAcquisitionAdjustmentsNet	53767000000	usd
CY2009Q4	brka	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Before Foreign Currency And Acquisition Adjustments Net LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseBeforeForeignCurrencyAndAcquisitionAdjustmentsNet	52216000000	usd
CY2008Q4	brka	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Before Foreign Currency And Acquisition Adjustments Net LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseBeforeForeignCurrencyAndAcquisitionAdjustmentsNet	49744000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Net LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNet	52537000000	usd
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Net LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNet	49487000000	usd
CY2010Q2	dei	Entity Public Float EntityPublicFloat	139782000000	usd
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Before Tax DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTax	-1395000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification Of Defined Benefit Plans Net Gain Loss Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationOfDefinedBenefitPlansNetGainLossRecognizedInNetPeriodicBenefitCostBeforeTax	53000000	usd
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Before Tax DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTax	-1368000000	usd
CY2009	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification Of Defined Benefit Plans Net Gain Loss Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationOfDefinedBenefitPlansNetGainLossRecognizedInNetPeriodicBenefitCostBeforeTax	39000000	usd
CY2008Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Before Tax DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTax	-1320000000	usd
CY2010	us-gaap	Traditional Life Interest Rate Low End TraditionalLifeInterestRateLowEnd	0.03	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Traditional Life Interest Rate High End TraditionalLifeInterestRateHighEnd	0.06	pure
CY2010	brka	Annuities Interest Rate Low End AnnuitiesInterestRateLowEnd	0.01	pure
CY2010	brka	Annuities Interest Rate High End AnnuitiesInterestRateHighEnd	0.07	pure
CY2010	brka	Impairment Loss As Perecent Of Original Cost ImpairmentLossAsPerecentOfOriginalCost	0.20	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Investment Owned At Cost InvestmentOwnedAtCost	18442000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Investment Owned Unrealized Appreciation Depreciation Net At Reporting Date InvestmentOwnedUnrealizedAppreciationDepreciationNetAtReportingDate	5705000000	usd
CY2010Q4	brka	Obligation Equity Interest Amount ObligationEquityInterestAmount	2900000000	usd
CY2007Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Net LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNet	48876000000	usd

Files In Submission

Name	View Source	Status
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0001193125-11-048914-index.html	Edgar Link	pending
0001193125-11-048914.txt	Edgar Link	pending
0001193125-11-048914-xbrl.zip	Edgar Link	pending
brka-20101231.xsd	Edgar Link	pending
d10k.htm	Edgar Link	pending
dex12.htm	Edgar Link	pending
dex21.htm	Edgar Link	pending
dex23.htm	Edgar Link	pending
dex311.htm	Edgar Link	pending
dex312.htm	Edgar Link	pending
dex321.htm	Edgar Link	pending
dex322.htm	Edgar Link	pending
Financial_Report.xls	Edgar Link	pending
brka-20101231_lab.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
brka-20101231_def.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
brka-20101231_pre.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
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brka-20101231.xml	Edgar Link	completed
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brka-20101231_cal.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable

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BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC Stock $brk-b

2010 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312511048914 Filed on February 28, 2011

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

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$BRK-B BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC Stock $brk-b

2010 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000119312511048914 Filed on February 28, 2011

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$BRK-B
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC Stock $brk-b