Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)	$ 4,405	$ 1,308	$ 1,538
Translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(401)	433	116
Reclassifications to net income (Note 4)	318	0	0
Income taxes	7	92	(48)
Translation adjustments	(76)	525	68
Funded status - retirement obligations (Note 18):
Retirement program remeasurements	(260)	(39)	(163)
Reclassifications to net income	94	55	60
Income taxes	(55)	(5)	27
Funded status - retirement obligations	(221)	11	(76)
Derivative instruments (Note 14):
Current year unrealized gain (loss)	0	0	1
Reclassifications to net income	(1)	0	(1)
Income taxes	0	0	0
Derivative instruments	(1)	0	0
Securities (Note 9):
Current year unrealized gain (loss)	(1)
Reclassifications to net income	0	0	0
Income taxes	0	0	0
Securities	(1)
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(299)	536	(8)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)	4,106	1,844	1,530
Less: noncontrolling interests	(83)	(95)	(34)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - LINDE PLC	$ 4,023	$ 1,749	$ 1,496

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