Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	$ 7,584	$ 6,377	$ 14,827	$ 13,116
Total operating profit	1,142	591	2,355	1,324
Cost reduction programs and other charges	(204)	(249)	(196)	(380)
Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	3,020	2,417	5,860	5,094
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,875	1,448	3,674	3,081
APAC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,544	1,295	2,980	2,631
Engineering
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	646	810	1,320	1,418
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	499	407	993	892
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating profit	1,837	1,317	3,525	2,669
Operating Segments | Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	3,020	2,417	5,860	5,094
Total operating profit	871	622	1,666	1,283
Operating Segments | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,875	1,448	3,674	3,081
Total operating profit	487	303	938	658
Operating Segments | APAC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,544	1,295	2,980	2,631
Total operating profit	389	294	740	575
Operating Segments | Engineering
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	646	810	1,320	1,418
Total operating profit	108	138	217	229
Operating Segments | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	499	407	993	892
Total operating profit	(18)	(40)	(36)	(76)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG	(491)	(477)	(974)	(965)
Segment Reconciling Items | Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cost reduction programs and other charges	$ (204)	$ (249)	$ (196)	$ (380)