Income Taxes - Net Deferred Tax Liabilities and Valuation Allowances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred tax liabilities
Fixed assets	$ 3,177	$ 3,430
Goodwill	166	173
Other intangible assets (a)	3,263	3,703
Subsidiary/equity investments	586	609
Other	634	791
Deferred tax liabilities	7,826	8,706
Deferred tax assets
Carryforwards	358	386
Benefit plans and related	607	814
Inventory	57	70
Accruals and other	1,042	1,243
Total gross deferred tax assets	2,064	2,513
Less: Valuation allowances	(235)	(243)	$ (222)
Total net deferred tax assets	1,829	2,270
Other long-term assets	242	268
Deferred credits	6,239	6,704
Total deferred tax liabilities	5,997	6,436
Excluded intangible assets	230
Deferred tax liability, right-of-use lease assets	236	255
Deferred tax asset - pension, OPEB	305	560
Deferred tax asset, lease liabilities	246	255
Deferred tax asset - research and development	42	63
Valuation Allowance [Roll Forward]
Valuation allowances	(243)	(222)	(237)
Income tax (charge) benefit	8	(21)	(31)
Merger with Linde AG	0	0	18
Other, including write-offs	0	2	26
Translation adjustments	0	(2)	2
Valuation allowances	$ (235)	$ (243)	(222)
Linde AG
Valuation Allowance [Roll Forward]
Other, including write-offs			$ 26