Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 12
-Section 13
-Sentence Column B

+ Details

Name:	invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Derivatives used in Net Investment Hedge Increase (Decrease) since inception, Gross of Tax

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lin_DerivativesusedinNetInvestmentHedgeIncreaseDecreasesinceinceptionGrossofTax
Namespace Prefix:	lin_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Portion of Euro-denominated notes which were designated as a hedge of the net investment position in its European operations as of quarter end.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lin_Eurodenominatednotesdesignatedashedginginstrument
Namespace Prefix:	lin_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109500613&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before tax, of increase (decrease) in the cumulative translation adjustment from gain (loss) on foreign currency derivatives that are designated as, and are effective as, economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109240241&loc=d3e32211-110900

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentForNetInvestmentHedgeIncreaseDecreaseGrossOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=lin_EuroDenominatedLongterm1.50NotesDue2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=lin_EuroDenominatedLongterm1.625NotesDue2025MemberMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=lin_EuroDenominated1.20Due2024Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=lin_PraxairInc.Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Financial Instruments - Net Investment Hedges (Details) € in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended	60 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Nov. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Carrying value of long-term debt				$ 13,811			$ 8,762
Notional Amounts				$ 11,734			$ 3,210
Euro Denominated Long-term 1.50% Notes Due 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Euro-denominated notes designated as hedging instrument \| €			€ 600
Interest rate			1.50%	1.50%		1.50%	1.50%
Carrying value of long-term debt				$ 0			$ 717
Euro Denominated Long-term 1.625% Notes Due 2025
Derivative [Line Items]
Euro-denominated notes designated as hedging instrument \| €			€ 500
Interest rate			1.625%	1.625%
Carrying value of long-term debt				$ 568			594
Euro Denominated 1.20% Due 2024
Derivative [Line Items]
Euro-denominated notes designated as hedging instrument \| €			€ 550
Interest rate			1.20%	1.20%
Carrying value of long-term debt				$ 628			$ 658
Net investment hedge
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivatives used in Net Investment Hedge Increase (Decrease) since inception, Gross of Tax		$ (202)
Derivatives used in net investment hedge, increase (decrease)	$ 105
Praxair, Inc. \| Euro Denominated Long-term 1.50% Notes Due 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate					1.50%
Praxair, Inc. \| Euro Denominated Long-term 1.625% Notes Due 2025
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate					1.625%
Praxair, Inc. \| Euro Denominated 1.20% Due 2024
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate					1.20%
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments: \| Praxair, Inc. \| Net investment hedge
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amounts \| €			€ 965			€ 200