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| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Other Assets [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Other Assets [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 7 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNetAbstract </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contracts: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 8 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 231000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 231000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 188000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 188000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Fair value of derivative asset, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Assets </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 10 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName/> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> na </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/2010-12-31/role/derivativecontractsdetail </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 5 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_20101231_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember_RailroadUtilitiesAndEnergyMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2010-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_RailroadUtilitiesAndEnergyMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 6 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember_RailroadUtilitiesAndEnergyMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2009-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_RailroadUtilitiesAndEnergyMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 11 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNetAbstract </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contracts: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 12 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 621000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 621000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 581000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 581000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Fair value of derivative liability, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Liabilities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 14 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName/> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> na </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/2010-12-31/role/derivativecontractsdetail </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 7 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_20101231_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2010-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Finance and Financial Products [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 8 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2009-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Finance and Financial Products [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 15 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNetAbstract </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contracts: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 16 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 343000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 343000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [1] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 266000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 266000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [1] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Fair value of derivative asset, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Assets </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 17 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 8371000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 8371000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 9269000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 9269000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Fair value of derivative liability, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Liabilities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 18 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAssetAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> -82000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> -82000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [1] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> -193000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> -193000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [1] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> The amount as of the balance sheet date of the fair value of derivative assets that in accordance with the entity's accounting policy was offset against an obligation to return cash collateral under a master netting arrangement. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10B -Subparagraph b </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Counterpary netting, assets </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 19 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> -39000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> -39000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> -34000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> -34000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> The amount as of the balance sheet date of the fair value of derivative liabilities that in accordance with the entity's accounting policy were offset against the right to reclaim cash collateral under a master netting arrangement. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10B -Subparagraph b </ElementReferences> |
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| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
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| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 21 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName/> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> na </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
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| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| <Columns> |
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| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis} : Equity index put options [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_20101231_EquityContractMember_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
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| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
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| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Equity index put options [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_EquityContractMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
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| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <Label Id="2" Label="Equity index put options [Member]"/> |
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| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis} : Equity index put options [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_EquityContractMember_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2009-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Equity index put options [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_EquityContractMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <Label Id="1" Label="Finance and Financial Products [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Equity index put options [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Equity index put options [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 22 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNetAbstract </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
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| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
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| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contracts: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 23 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 6712000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 6712000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 7309000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 7309000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Fair value of derivative liability, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Liabilities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 24 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfDerivatives </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
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| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 37990000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 37990000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [2] </FootnoteIndexer> |
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| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Aggregate notional amount of all derivatives. The notional amount relates to a number of currency units, shares, bushels, pounds, or other units specified in a derivative instrument. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Notional Value </Label> |
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| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 26 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName/> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> na </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
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| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/2010-12-31/role/derivativecontractsdetail </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
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| <MCU> |
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| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
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| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
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| <Name/> |
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| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
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| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
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| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
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| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 28 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
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| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
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| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
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| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Fair value of derivative liability, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 </ElementReferences> |
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| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfDerivatives </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
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| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
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| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| </Cell> |
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| | | <ElementDefenition> Aggregate notional amount of all derivatives. The notional amount relates to a number of currency units, shares, bushels, pounds, or other units specified in a derivative instrument. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
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| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Finance and Financial Products [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="States Municipalities [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Finance and Financial Products [Member] | States Municipalities [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 32 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNetAbstract </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contracts: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 33 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 1164000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 1164000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 853000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 853000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Fair value of derivative liability, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Liabilities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 34 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfDerivatives </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 16042000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 16042000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [3] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 16042000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 16042000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [3] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Aggregate notional amount of all derivatives. The notional amount relates to a number of currency units, shares, bushels, pounds, or other units specified in a derivative instrument. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Notional Value </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 36 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName/> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> na </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/2010-12-31/role/derivativecontractsdetail </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 15 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis} : Individual Corporate [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_20101231_IndividualCorporateMember_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2010-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Individual Corporate [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_IndividualCorporateMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Finance and Financial Products [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Individual Corporate [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 16 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis} : Individual Corporate [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_IndividualCorporateMember_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2009-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Individual Corporate [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_IndividualCorporateMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Finance and Financial Products [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Individual Corporate [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Individual Corporate [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 37 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNetAbstract </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contracts: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 38 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 84000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 84000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [1] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 81000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 81000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [1] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Fair value of derivative asset, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Assets </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 39 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfDerivatives </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 3565000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 3565000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [3] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 3565000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 3565000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [3] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Aggregate notional amount of all derivatives. The notional amount relates to a number of currency units, shares, bushels, pounds, or other units specified in a derivative instrument. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Notional Value </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 41 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName/> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> na </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/2010-12-31/role/derivativecontractsdetail </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 17 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis} : Other [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_20101231_OtherContractMember_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2010-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Other [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_OtherContractMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Finance and Financial Products [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Other [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 18 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] {us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis} : Other [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_OtherContractMember_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2009-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Other [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_OtherContractMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Finance and Financial Products [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Other [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Other [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 42 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNetAbstract </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contracts: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 43 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 341000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 341000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [1] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 378000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 378000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [1] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Fair value of derivative asset, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Assets </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 44 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 375000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 375000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
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| </Cells> |
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| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
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| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
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| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
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| | | <PeriodType> na </PeriodType> |
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| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
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| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
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| <Cell> |
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| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
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| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Narrative: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 49 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_EquityDerivativeIntrinsicValue </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> Represents the undiscounted liability assuming the contracts are settled on their future expiration dates based on the index... </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
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| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
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| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <Cell> |
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| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
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| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Represents the undiscounted liability assuming the contracts are settled on their future expiration dates based on the index values at the most recent balance sheet date. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Aggregate intrinsic value of equity index put option contracts </Label> |
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| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 50 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_DerivativeWeightedAverageRemainingLife </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> The weighted average remaining life for the derivative or group of derivatives. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
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| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> verboselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
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| | | <SimpleDataType> decimal </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> The weighted average remaining life for the derivative or group of derivatives. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
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| | | <Label> Weighted average remaining life of derivative contract, years </Label> |
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| | <Row> |
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| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
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| <KeyName> {us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis} : States Municipalities [Member] 12/31/2010 </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
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| <dimensionId> us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByDerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
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| <Scenarios/> |
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| <MeasureNamespace> xbrli </MeasureNamespace> |
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| <CurrencyCode/> |
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| <Label Id="1" Label="States Municipalities [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
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| | | <Label> States Municipalities [Member] </Label> |
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| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
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| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
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| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Narrative: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 54 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_DerivativeWeightedAverageRemainingLife </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> The weighted average remaining life for the derivative or group of derivatives. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> verboselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 10.1 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 10.1 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:decimalItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> decimal </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> The weighted average remaining life for the derivative or group of derivatives. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Weighted average remaining life of derivative contract, years </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 55 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_PercentOfDerivativeLiabilityByNotionalAmountThatCannotBeSettledBeforeMaturityDateOfUnderlyingObligations </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> The percent of derivative liability measured using the notional amount of derivative contracts which cannot be settled before... </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> verboselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> true </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0.50 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0.50 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> us-types:percentItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> pure </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> The percent of derivative liability measured using the notional amount of derivative contracts which cannot be settled before the maturity dates of the underlying obligations. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Potential obligation percent of the notional amount derivative contracts cannot be settled before the maturity dates of the underlying obligations, percentage </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | </Rows> |
| <Footnotes> |
| | <Footnote> |
| | | <NoteId> 1 </NoteId> |
| | | <Note> Included in Other assets of finance and financial products businesses. </Note> |
| | | </Footnote> |
| | <Footnote> |
| | | <NoteId> 2 </NoteId> |
| | | <Note> Represents the aggregate undiscounted amount payable at the contract expiration dates assuming that the value of each index is zero at the contract expiration date. </Note> |
| | | </Footnote> |
| | <Footnote> |
| | | <NoteId> 3 </NoteId> |
| | | <Note> Represents the maximum undiscounted future value of losses payable under the contracts. The number of losses required to exhaust contract limits under substantially all of the contracts is dependent on the loss recovery rate related to the specific obligor at the time of a default. </Note> |
| | | </Footnote> |
| | </Footnotes> |
| <NumberOfCols> 2 </NumberOfCols> |
| <NumberOfRows> 43 </NumberOfRows> |
| <ReportName> Derivative contracts (Detail) (USD $) </ReportName> |
| <MonetaryRoundingLevel> NoRounding </MonetaryRoundingLevel> |
| <SharesRoundingLevel> UnKnown </SharesRoundingLevel> |
| <PerShareRoundingLevel> UnKnown </PerShareRoundingLevel> |
| <ExchangeRateRoundingLevel> UnKnown </ExchangeRateRoundingLevel> |
| <HasCustomUnits> true </HasCustomUnits> |
| <SharesShouldBeRounded> true </SharesShouldBeRounded> |
| </InstanceReport> |