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| | | <ElementDefenition> For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in debt securities having predetermined or determinable maturity dates. </ElementDefenition> |
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| | | <ElementDefenition> For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in common and preferred stocks and other forms of securities that provide ownership interests in a corporation. </ElementDefenition> |
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| | | <ElementDefenition> Other investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 12 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph g -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
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| | | <Label> Other investments - carrying value </Label> |
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| | | <ElementDefenition> Value of the investment at close of period. For schedules of investments that are categorized, the value should be aggregated by category. For investment in and advances to affiliates, if operations of any controlled companies are different in character from those of the company, group such affiliates within divisions and by type of activities. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 14 -Paragraph 2, 3 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 12C -Paragraph Column C -Article 12 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 12 -Paragraph 3, 4 -Article 12 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 12C -Paragraph 7 -Article 12 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 14 -Paragraph Column E -Article 12 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 13 -Paragraph 6 -Article 12 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 12 -Paragraph Column C -Article 12 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 13 -Paragraph Column C -Article 12 </ElementReferences> |
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| | | <Label> Other investments - fair value </Label> |
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| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
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| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
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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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| <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> 3 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Insurance and Other [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Carrying Value [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_20101231_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_InsuranceAndOtherMember </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> Insurance and Other [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_InsuranceAndOtherMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Carrying Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </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> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <Label Id="1" Label="Insurance and Other [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Carrying Value [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
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| </Columns> |
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| <Id> 4 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Insurance and Other [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Carrying Value [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_InsuranceAndOtherMember </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> Insurance and Other [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_InsuranceAndOtherMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Carrying Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </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="Insurance and Other [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Carrying Value [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> Insurance and Other [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 8 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_ValueMeasurementsLineItems </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </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> Value measurements [Line Items] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 9 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotesPayable </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> 12471000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 12471 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <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> 4561000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 4561 </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> Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance-sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13, 16 -Article 9 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Notes payable and other borrowings </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/fairvaluemeasurementsfinancialinstrumentsdetail </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
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| <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> |
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| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </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} : Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Carrying Value [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_20101231_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_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"> |
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| <Name/> |
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| <ValueName> Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] </ValueName> |
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| <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> Carrying Value [Member] </ValueName> |
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| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
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| </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="Carrying Value [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
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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} : Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Carrying Value [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_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> Carrying Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
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| </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="Carrying Value [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] | Carrying Value [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 11 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_ValueMeasurementsLineItems </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </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> Value measurements [Line Items] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 12 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotesPayable </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> 31626000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 31626 </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> 19579000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 19579 </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> Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance-sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13, 16 -Article 9 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Notes payable and other borrowings </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 13 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities </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> 621 </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> 581000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 581 </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 values as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10A, 10B Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 4, 17 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contract 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/fairvaluemeasurementsfinancialinstrumentsdetail </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] {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Carrying Value [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_20101231_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_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> Carrying Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </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="Carrying Value [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" 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] {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Carrying Value [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_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> Carrying Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </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="Carrying Value [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] | Carrying Value [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 15 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_ValueMeasurementsLineItems </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </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> Value measurements [Line Items] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 16 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotesPayable </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> 14477000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 14477 </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> 13769000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 13769 </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> Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance-sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13, 16 -Article 9 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Notes payable and other borrowings </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 17 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities </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> 8371 </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> 9269 </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 values as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10A, 10B Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 4, 17 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contract liabilities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 18 </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/fairvaluemeasurementsfinancialinstrumentsdetail </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> 9 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Carrying Value [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_20101231_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember </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> Carrying Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </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="Carrying Value [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 10 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Carrying Value [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember </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> Carrying Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </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="Carrying Value [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> Carrying Value [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 19 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_ValueMeasurementsLineItems </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </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> Value measurements [Line Items] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 20 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities </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> 34883000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 34883 </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> 37131000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 37131 </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> For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in debt securities having predetermined or determinable maturity dates. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph a -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investments in fixed maturity securities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 21 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities </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> 61513000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 61513 </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> 59034000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 59034 </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> For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in common and preferred stocks and other forms of securities that provide ownership interests in a corporation. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph b -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investments in equity securities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 22 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_OtherInvestments </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> verboselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 23009000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 23009 </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> 32600000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 32600 </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> Other investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 12 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph g -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Other investments - carrying value </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 23 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount </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> 15226000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 15226 </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> 13989000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 13989 </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> Reflects the aggregate carrying amount of all categories of loans and leases held in portfolio, net of unearned income and the allowance for losses on loans and leases. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph e </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Loans and finance receivables </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 24 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeAssets </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> 574000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 574 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [2] </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> 454000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 454 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [2] </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 values as of the balance sheet date of all assets resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10A, 10B Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 4, 17 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contract assets </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 25 </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/fairvaluemeasurementsfinancialinstrumentsdetail </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> 11 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Insurance and Other [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Fair Value [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_20101231_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_InsuranceAndOtherMember </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> Insurance and Other [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_InsuranceAndOtherMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Fair Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </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="Insurance and Other [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Fair Value [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="3" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 12 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Insurance and Other [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Fair Value [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_InsuranceAndOtherMember </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> Insurance and Other [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_InsuranceAndOtherMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Fair Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </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="Insurance and Other [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Fair Value [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> Insurance and Other [Member] | Fair Value [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 26 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_ValueMeasurementsLineItems </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </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> Value measurements [Line Items] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 27 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotesPayable </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> |
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| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
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| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| </Cells> |
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| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
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| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
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| | | <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> |
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| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
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| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| <Columns> |
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| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
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| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
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| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
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| <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> |
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| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Fair Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
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| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
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| <Scenarios/> |
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| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
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| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
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| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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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} : Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Fair Value [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <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/> |
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| <ValueName> Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
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| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
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| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Fair Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
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| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
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| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
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| <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="Fair Value [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] | Fair Value [Member] </Label> |
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| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 29 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_ValueMeasurementsLineItems </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </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> |
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| <IsNumeric> false </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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| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
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| <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> Value measurements [Line Items] </Label> |
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| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 30 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotesPayable </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> |
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| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
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| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <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> |
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| | | <ElementDefenition> Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance-sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. </ElementDefenition> |
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| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Notes payable and other borrowings </Label> |
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| | <Row> |
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| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
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| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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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> Fair values as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements. </ElementDefenition> |
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| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contract liabilities </Label> |
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| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 32 </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/fairvaluemeasurementsfinancialinstrumentsdetail </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
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| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
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| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| <Columns> |
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| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
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| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
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| <Name/> |
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| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
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| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
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| <type> explicitMember </type> |
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| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
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| <ValueName> Fair Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
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| <type> explicitMember </type> |
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| <Scenarios/> |
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| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] {us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis} : Fair Value [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <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> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
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| <type> explicitMember </type> |
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| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
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| <ValueName> Fair Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
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| <Scenarios/> |
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| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <Label Id="2" Label="Fair Value [Member]"/> |
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| </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] | Fair Value [Member] </Label> |
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| | | <Id> 33 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_ValueMeasurementsLineItems </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </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> |
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| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
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| <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> |
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| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Value measurements [Line Items] </Label> |
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| | | <Id> 34 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotesPayable </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> |
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| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
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| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
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| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <Cell> |
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| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <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> |
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| | | <ElementDefenition> Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance-sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13, 16 -Article 9 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Notes payable and other borrowings </Label> |
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| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities </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> |
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| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
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| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
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| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| <Cell> |
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| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <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> Fair values as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10A, 10B Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 4, 17 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contract liabilities </Label> |
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| | <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/fairvaluemeasurementsfinancialinstrumentsdetail </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
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| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
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| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <CurrencySymbol/> |
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| <Cell> |
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| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
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| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
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| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
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| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
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| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
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| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Fair Value [Member] </ValueName> |
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| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
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| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
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| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
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| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
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| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
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| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
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| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember </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> Fair Value [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingDisclosureItemAmountsAxis </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="Fair Value [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> Fair Value [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 37 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_ValueMeasurementsLineItems </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </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> Value measurements [Line Items] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 38 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities </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> 34883000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 34883 </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> 37131000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 37131 </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> For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in debt securities having predetermined or determinable maturity dates. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph a -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investments in fixed maturity securities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 39 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities </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> 61513000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 61513 </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> 59034000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 59034 </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> For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in common and preferred stocks and other forms of securities that provide ownership interests in a corporation. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph b -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investments in equity securities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 40 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedAtFairValue </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> verboselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 24147000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 24147 </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> 34540000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 34540 </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> Value of the investment at close of period. For schedules of investments that are categorized, the value should be aggregated by category. For investment in and advances to affiliates, if operations of any controlled companies are different in character from those of the company, group such affiliates within divisions and by type of activities. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 14 -Paragraph 2, 3 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 12C -Paragraph Column C -Article 12 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 12 -Paragraph 3, 4 -Article 12 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 12C -Paragraph 7 -Article 12 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 14 -Paragraph Column E -Article 12 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 13 -Paragraph 6 -Article 12 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 12 -Paragraph Column C -Article 12 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 13 -Paragraph Column C -Article 12 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Other investments - fair value </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 41 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount </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> 14453000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 14453 </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> 12415000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 12415 </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> Reflects the aggregate carrying amount of all categories of loans and leases held in portfolio, net of unearned income and the allowance for losses on loans and leases. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph e </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Loans and finance receivables </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 42 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeAssets </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> 574000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 574 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [2] </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> 454000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 454 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [2] </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 values as of the balance sheet date of all assets resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10A, 10B Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 4, 17 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contract assets </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 43 </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/fairvaluemeasurementsfinancialinstrumentsdetail </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> 19 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Insurance and Other [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_20101231_InsuranceAndOtherMember </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> Insurance and Other [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_InsuranceAndOtherMember </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="Insurance and Other [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 20 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Insurance and Other [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_InsuranceAndOtherMember </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> Insurance and Other [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_InsuranceAndOtherMember </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="Insurance and Other [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> Insurance and Other [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 44 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_ValueMeasurementsLineItems </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </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> Value measurements [Line Items] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 45 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities </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> 33803000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 33803 </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> 35729000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 35729 </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> For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in debt securities having predetermined or determinable maturity dates. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph a -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investments in fixed maturity securities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 46 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities </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> 59819000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 59819 </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> 56562000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 56562 </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> For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in common and preferred stocks and other forms of securities that provide ownership interests in a corporation. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph b -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investments in equity securities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 47 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_OtherInvestments </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> verboselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 19333000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 19333 </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> 29440000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 29440 </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> Other investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 12 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph g -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Other investments - carrying value </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 48 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotesPayable </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> 12471000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 12471 </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> 4561000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 4561 </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> Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance-sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13, 16 -Article 9 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Notes payable and other borrowings </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 49 </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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| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
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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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| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
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| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <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> |
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| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
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| <Scenarios/> |
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| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
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| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
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| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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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} : Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <ContextID> Pri_20091231_RailroadUtilitiesAndEnergyMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
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| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
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| <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> |
| </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> |
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| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
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| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <Label Id="1" Label="Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2009"/> |
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| </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] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 50 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_ValueMeasurementsLineItems </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </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> |
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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> Value measurements [Line Items] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 51 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities </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> 1182000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 1182 </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> 1986000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 1986 </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> For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in common and preferred stocks and other forms of securities that provide ownership interests in a corporation. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph b -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investments in equity securities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 52 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotesPayable </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> 31626000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 31626 </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> 19579000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 19579 </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> Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance-sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13, 16 -Article 9 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Notes payable and other borrowings </Label> |
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| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 53 </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/fairvaluemeasurementsfinancialinstrumentsdetail </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
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| <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> |
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| <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] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
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| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
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| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
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| <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> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
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| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
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| <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"/> |
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| <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] 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> 54 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_ValueMeasurementsLineItems </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </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> Value measurements [Line Items] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 55 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesFixedMaturities </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> 1080000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 1080 </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> 1402000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 1402 </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> For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in debt securities having predetermined or determinable maturity dates. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph a -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investments in fixed maturity securities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 56 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities </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> 512000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 512 </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> 486000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 486 </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> For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in common and preferred stocks and other forms of securities that provide ownership interests in a corporation. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph b -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investments in equity securities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 57 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_OtherInvestments </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> verboselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 3676000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 3676 </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> 3160000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 3160 </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> Other investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 12 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph g -Article 7 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Other investments - carrying value </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 58 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount </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> 15226000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 15226 </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> 13989000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 13989 </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> Reflects the aggregate carrying amount of all categories of loans and leases held in portfolio, net of unearned income and the allowance for losses on loans and leases. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph e </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Loans and finance receivables </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 59 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_NotesPayable </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> 14477000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 14477 </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> 13769000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 13769 </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> Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance-sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13, 16 -Article 9 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Notes payable and other borrowings </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 60 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities </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> 8371 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> true </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> 9269 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> true </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 values as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10A, 10B Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 4, 17 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Derivative contract liabilities </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | </Rows> |
| <Footnotes> |
| | <Footnote> |
| | | <NoteId> 1 </NoteId> |
| | | <Note> Included in Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities </Note> |
| | | </Footnote> |
| | <Footnote> |
| | | <NoteId> 2 </NoteId> |
| | | <Note> Included in Other assets. </Note> |
| | | </Footnote> |
| | </Footnotes> |
| <NumberOfCols> 2 </NumberOfCols> |
| <NumberOfRows> 59 </NumberOfRows> |
| <ReportName> Fair value measurements - Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $) </ReportName> |
| <MonetaryRoundingLevel> Millions </MonetaryRoundingLevel> |
| <SharesRoundingLevel> UnKnown </SharesRoundingLevel> |
| <PerShareRoundingLevel> UnKnown </PerShareRoundingLevel> |
| <ExchangeRateRoundingLevel> UnKnown </ExchangeRateRoundingLevel> |
| <HasCustomUnits> false </HasCustomUnits> |
| <SharesShouldBeRounded> true </SharesShouldBeRounded> |
| </InstanceReport> |