Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)	$ 554	$ 472
Translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	123	106
Reclassification to net income (Note 17)	12
Income taxes	(3)	9
Translation adjustments	132	115
Funded status - retirement obligations (Note 11):
Retirement program remeasurements	(2)	1
Reclassifications to net income	64	17
Income taxes	(18)	(4)
Funded status - retirement obligations	44	14
Derivative instruments (Note 7):
Current quarter unrealized gain (loss)	(17)	0
Reclassifications to net income	0	0
Income taxes	3	0
Derivative instruments	(14)	0
Securities
Current year unrealized gain (loss)	(8)	0
Reclassifications to net income	0	0
Income taxes	0	0
Securities	(8)	0
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	154	129
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)	708	601
Less: noncontrolling interests	30	(21)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - LINDE PLC	$ 738	$ 580