Of course! Investing with a legend like Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is a goal for many. But the question on everyone's mind is, how much money do you actually need to get started? Let's dive deep into the world of Berkshire Hathaway and uncover the investment options, a step-by-step guide, and the minimum amounts required.
Step 1: Get Ready to Invest!
First things first, let's get you set up. Before we even talk about share prices, you need a place to buy them. Think of a brokerage account as your personal marketplace for stocks. If you don't have one, now is the time to open one.
Which brokerage account should you choose? Look for a reputable brokerage firm that offers low to zero commission fees on stock trades. Many popular platforms like Zerodha (in India), Charles Schwab, Fidelity, or Robinhood (for US-based investors) offer this.
Engage with your financial goals: Before you jump in, take a moment to reflect. Why do you want to invest in Berkshire Hathaway? Is it for long-term growth? To be a part of Warren Buffett's legacy? The answer will help shape your investment strategy.
 |
| How Much Money Do I Need To Invest With Berkshire Hathaway |
Step 2: Understand the Two Tiers of Berkshire Hathaway
This is a critical step. Berkshire Hathaway is unique in that it offers two classes of stock: Class A (BRK.A) and Class B (BRK.B). They represent ownership in the same company, but their prices and voting rights are vastly different.
Sub-heading: The Legendary Class A Shares (BRK.A)
These are the famous, incredibly expensive shares that have never undergone a stock split. As of late June 2025, a single share of BRK.A is trading for over $700,000. That's right, one share!
What's the purpose of BRK.A's high price? Warren Buffett famously keeps the price of Class A shares high to discourage short-term speculation and attract long-term, like-minded investors. He wants shareholders who view themselves as owners of the company, not just day traders.
What do you get with BRK.A? You get a larger proportional stake in the company and significantly more voting rights. Each Class A share has 10,000 times the voting power of a Class B share.
Is it possible to buy a fractional share of BRK.A? Generally, no. While some brokerages offer fractional shares for certain stocks, the extremely high price of BRK.A makes it very unlikely for a brokerage to offer fractional ownership of it.
QuickTip: A slow read reveals hidden insights.
Sub-heading: The Accessible Class B Shares (BRK.B)
This is where the magic happens for most investors. The Class B shares were created in 1996 specifically to make Berkshire Hathaway accessible to a wider range of investors who couldn't afford the sky-high price of Class A shares. In 2010, the company did a 50-for-1 stock split for the Class B shares, making them even more affordable.
How much does a BRK.B share cost? As of late June 2025, a single share of BRK.B is priced at around $485. This is a much more manageable price point for the average investor.
What do you get with BRK.B? Each Class B share represents 1/1,500th of a Class A share in terms of economic value. You get all the benefits of owning a piece of Berkshire Hathaway's diverse portfolio of companies, but with significantly less voting power (1/10,000th of a Class A share).
What is the minimum investment? This is the key takeaway: the minimum investment you need is the current price of one BRK.B share, which is approximately $485.
Step 3: Fund Your Brokerage Account
Now that you know which share class you're targeting, it's time to put money into your brokerage account.
Link your bank account: The easiest way to fund your brokerage account is by linking it to your savings or current account. This allows you to transfer funds electronically.
Transfer the funds: Transfer the amount you want to invest. Remember, you only need enough to cover the cost of at least one BRK.B share, plus any potential trading fees (although most major brokerages have eliminated these for online trades).
Step 4: Place Your Order
You're ready! This is the most exciting step.
Search for the ticker symbol: In your brokerage account's trading platform, search for the ticker symbol BRK.B. Make sure you don't accidentally search for BRK.A!
Enter the order details: Decide how many shares you want to buy. If you are starting out, buying just one share is a great way to begin. If you can afford it, you can buy more.
Choose your order type:
Market Order: This buys the shares at the current market price. It's fast, but the price can fluctuate.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a maximum price you are willing to pay. The trade will only execute if the stock's price falls to or below your limit. This gives you more control over the purchase price.
Submit the order: Once you've entered all the details, hit the "Buy" or "Place Order" button. Congratulations, you are now a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder!
Step 5: Hold for the Long Term
Tip: Keep your attention on the main thread.
 |
Warren Buffett's investment philosophy is all about long-term holding. He famously says, "Our favorite holding period is forever."
Don't panic about market fluctuations: The stock market goes up and down. Don't be tempted to sell your shares just because the price drops temporarily.
Stay informed: Read Berkshire Hathaway's annual reports and follow the news about the company. But don't let every minor headline dictate your decisions.
Consider dollar-cost averaging: If you can, consider investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals (e.g., every month). This strategy is called dollar-cost averaging and helps you buy more shares when prices are low and fewer when they are high, effectively averaging out your cost over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to buy a single share of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can easily buy a single share of Berkshire Hathaway's Class B stock (BRK.B) through a brokerage account. The price is currently around $485, so you would need at least that much to buy one share.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway without a large amount of money?
The Class B shares (BRK.B) were specifically created for this purpose. You can buy them for a much lower price than the Class A shares. Additionally, some brokerages offer fractional shares of BRK.B, allowing you to invest with even less money.
Reminder: Save this article to read offline later.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock?
To buy a single share of Class A stock (BRK.A), you need a brokerage account and a significant amount of money, as the price per share is over $700,000. It is not possible to buy fractional shares of BRK.A on most platforms.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock in India?
Indian investors can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock by opening an international trading account with a brokerage that facilitates US stock trading, such as INDmoney or Angel One. You will need to complete a KYC verification process.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway for beginners?
For beginners, the best way to invest in Berkshire Hathaway is to open a brokerage account, fund it, and then purchase a few shares of the more affordable Class B stock (BRK.B). Focus on holding for the long term.
How to know the current price of Berkshire Hathaway stock?
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
You can find the real-time stock price for Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A and BRK.B) on financial news websites, brokerage platforms, or major stock exchanges like Nasdaq.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can buy fractional shares of the Class B stock (BRK.B) through brokerages that offer this feature. This allows you to invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., $50 or $100) and own a portion of a share.
How to convert Berkshire Hathaway B shares to A shares?
You cannot convert Class B shares to Class A shares. However, Class A shares can be converted into Class B shares at a ratio of 1:1,500.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway through an ETF or mutual fund?
You can get exposure to Berkshire Hathaway's stock by investing in an index fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks a broad market index like the S&P 500, as Berkshire Hathaway is a major component of this index.
How to learn more about Warren Buffett's investment philosophy?
To learn more, you can read Warren Buffett's annual letters to shareholders, which are available on the Berkshire Hathaway website, or read books about his investing principles.
 |
