Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	$ 7,668	$ 6,855	$ 22,495	$ 19,971
Operating income (loss) excluding cost reduction programs and purchase accounting impacts	1,810	1,515	5,335	4,184
Cost reduction programs and other charges	(26)	(48)	(222)	(428)
Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG	(492)	(498)	(1,466)	(1,463)
Total operating profit	1,292	969	3,647	2,293
Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	3,091	2,641	8,951	7,735
Operating income (loss) excluding cost reduction programs and purchase accounting impacts	859	742	2,525	2,025
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,911	1,622	5,585	4,703
Operating income (loss) excluding cost reduction programs and purchase accounting impacts	476	370	1,414	1,028
APAC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,564	1,484	4,544	4,115
Operating income (loss) excluding cost reduction programs and purchase accounting impacts	382	337	1,122	912
Engineering
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	601	678	1,921	2,096
Operating income (loss) excluding cost reduction programs and purchase accounting impacts	106	106	323	335
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	501	430	1,494	1,322
Operating income (loss) excluding cost reduction programs and purchase accounting impacts	(13)	(40)	(49)	(116)
Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cost reduction programs and other charges	$ (26)	$ (48)	$ (222)	$ (428)