Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	$ 8,211	$ 7,243
Total operating profit	1,480	1,213
Cost reduction programs and other charges	4	8
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	8,211	7,243
Total operating profit	1,905	1,688
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cost reduction programs and other charges	4	8
Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG	(429)	(483)
Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	3,241	2,840
Americas | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	3,241	2,840
Total operating profit	904	795
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	2,148	1,799
EMEA | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	2,148	1,799
Total operating profit	503	451
APAC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,602	1,436
APAC | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,602	1,436
Total operating profit	399	351
Engineering
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	728	674
Engineering | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	728	674
Total operating profit	143	109
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	492	494
Other | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	492	494
Total operating profit	$ (44)	$ (18)