Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)	$ 3,961	$ 2,626	$ 2,381
Translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,116)	565	118
Reclassifications to net income	(52)	0	12
Income taxes	(7)	30	3
Translation adjustments	(1,175)	595	133
Funded status - retirement obligations (Note 16):
Retirement program remeasurements	826	(675)	(852)
Reclassifications to net income	175	92	154
Income taxes	(255)	114	154
Funded status - retirement obligations	746	(469)	(544)
Derivative instruments (Note 12):
Current year unrealized gain (loss)	140	(3)	(32)
Reclassifications to net income	(49)	42	0
Income taxes	(20)	(8)	7
Derivative instruments	71	31	(25)
Securities:
Current year unrealized gain (loss)			1
Reclassifications to net income	0	0	0
Income taxes	0	0	0
Securities			1
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(358)	157	(435)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)	3,603	2,783	1,946
Less: noncontrolling interests	(135)	(158)	(19)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - LINDE PLC	$ 3,468	$ 2,625	$ 1,927