CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 7,668	$ 6,855	$ 22,495	$ 19,971
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization	4,368	3,835	12,616	11,297
Selling, general and administrative	793	770	2,402	2,391
Depreciation and amortization	1,163	1,168	3,500	3,434
Research and development	36	36	105	114
Cost reduction programs and other charges	26	48	222	428
Other income (expense) - net	10	(29)	(3)	(14)
Operating Profit	1,292	969	3,647	2,293
Interest expense - net	8	38	46	80
Net pension and OPEB cost (benefit), excluding service cost	(45)	(41)	(143)	(131)
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Investments	1,329	972	3,744	2,344
Income taxes on continuing operations	321	265	923	594
Income From Continuing Operations Before Equity Investments	1,008	707	2,821	1,750
Income from equity investments	1	23	81	69
Income From Continuing Operations (Including Noncontrolling Interests)	1,009	730	2,902	1,819
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	1	1	3	3
Net Income (Including Noncontrolling Interests)	1,010	731	2,905	1,822
Less: noncontrolling interests from continuing operations	(31)	(31)	(105)	(91)
Net Income – Linde plc	979	700	2,800	1,731
Income from continuing operations	978	699	2,797	1,728
Income from discontinued operations	$ 1	$ 1	$ 3	$ 3
Per Share Data – Linde plc Shareholders
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.90	$ 1.33	$ 5.39	$ 3.28
Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	0	0.01	0.01
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	1.90	1.33	5.40	3.29
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	1.88	1.32	5.34	3.25
Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	0	0.01	0.01
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.88	$ 1.32	$ 5.35	$ 3.26
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (000’s):
Basic shares outstanding (in shares)	515,169	525,694	518,802	527,501
Diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	520,079	530,415	523,662	531,724