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Berkshire Hathaway Class A (NYSE: BRK.A) and Class B (NYSE: BRK.B) shares represent ownership in the same company, but they differ in per-share economic rights, voting power, price and conversion options. One A share has the distribution rights of 1,500 B shares and one vote; one B share has 1/1,500 of those distribution rights and 1/10,000 of an A share’s vote. An A share can be converted into 1,500 B shares, but B shares cannot be converted into A. For most buyers prioritizing a lower per-share purchase price, B is the practical class to consider; A is relevant if its stronger voting rights and one-way conversion option matter to you.
How Class A and Class B shares compare
Both classes are common stock in Berkshire Hathaway, but the rights attached to each share differ. Berkshire lists them on the New York Stock Exchange as BRK.A and BRK.B.
| Feature | Class A (BRK.A) | Class B (BRK.B) |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend and distribution rights per share | Reference amount | 1/1,500 of Class A |
| Votes per share | 1 | 1/10,000 of a Class A vote |
| Conversion | Holder may convert one A share into 1,500 B shares | Cannot be converted into A shares |
| Per-share price | Much higher per-share price | Much lower per-share price |
The relationship is set out in Berkshire Hathaway’s 2025 Form 10-K, Note 16: “Each Class B common share possesses voting rights equal to one-ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of the voting rights of a Class A share.” The filing also states that an A share is convertible, at the holder’s option, into 1,500 B shares, while B shares are not convertible into A shares.
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How many B shares equal one A share?
For dividend and distribution rights, 1,500 B shares equal one A share. This equivalence does not apply to voting power: 1,500 B shares have 0.15 of a vote in aggregate, compared with one vote for one A share. So, for the same stated distribution-right equivalence, an A share carries greater voting power.
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Do Berkshire B shares have voting rights?
Yes. Each B share carries 1/10,000 of the vote attached to one A share. Berkshire says the two classes ordinarily vote together as a single class, unless Delaware law requires otherwise. The voting-right ratio is per share; the votes represented by a holding depend on the number and class of shares held.
What did BRK.A and BRK.B cost?
At the regular-session close on October 2, 2026, BRK.A was $754,790 and BRK.B was $502.65. Dividing the A closing price by 1,500 gives approximately $503.19, so the B close was close to, but not exactly, that mechanical ratio on that date. These are historical market prices, not a live quote or a price at which a particular investor could necessarily execute an order. Prices change; check a current quote before placing a trade.
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Should you buy BRK.A or BRK.B?
The choice depends on the amount you want to invest and whether voting power or conversion flexibility matters to you. The share class does not change the underlying issuer exposure: both are interests in Berkshire Hathaway.
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B’s much lower per-share price can make it more accessible for smaller purchases. Actual affordability depends on the current market price and your broker’s account rules, including whether it supports fractional-share orders. Check the provider’s terms, fees and order features before buying.
Consider BRK.A if its voting and conversion rights matter
A carries one vote per share and gives its holder the option to convert it into 1,500 B shares. That conversion is one-way: holding 1,500 B shares does not give you the right to convert them into one A share.
Match the decision to your priorities
- Cash needed per share: Compare current quotes and the amount you plan to invest.
- Voting power: Compare votes across the number of shares you would hold, rather than relying on the class name alone.
- Conversion flexibility: A has a conversion option into B; B does not have a conversion-up path into A.
- Broker access: Confirm that your brokerage and jurisdiction allow the trade and review any applicable fees or order restrictions.
What Berkshire’s historical returns do—and do not—tell you
Berkshire Hathaway’s 2025 annual report reports a 19.7% compound annual gain for Berkshire shares from 1965 through 2025, compared with 10.5% for the S&P 500 over the same comparison period. These are historical results reported by Berkshire, not forecasts or guarantees of future performance. They do not determine whether either share class is suitable for a particular investor.
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