Equity - Schedule of Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 45,428	$ 49,569
Net income	1,210	1,018
Other comprehensive income (loss)	98	(661)
Noncontrolling interests:
Additions (reductions)	4	(853)
Dividends and other capital changes	(7)	(21)
Dividends to Linde plc ordinary share holders	(592)	(553)
Issuances of ordinary shares:
For employee savings and incentive plans	(46)	(2)
Purchases of ordinary shares	(1,752)	(906)
Share-based compensation	34	29
Balance, end of period	$ 44,377	$ 47,620
Dividends paid (in dollars per share)	$ 1.17	$ 1.06
Linde plc Shareholders’ Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 44,035	$ 47,317
Net income	1,174	980
Other comprehensive income (loss)	110	(655)
Noncontrolling interests:
Additions (reductions)	0	0
Dividends and other capital changes	0	0
Dividends to Linde plc ordinary share holders	(592)	(553)
Issuances of ordinary shares:
For employee savings and incentive plans	(46)	(2)
Purchases of ordinary shares	(1,752)	(906)
Share-based compensation	34	29
Balance, end of period	42,963	46,210
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	1,393	2,252
Net income	36	38
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(12)	(6)
Noncontrolling interests:
Additions (reductions)	4	(853)
Dividends and other capital changes	(7)	(21)
Dividends to Linde plc ordinary share holders	0	0
Issuances of ordinary shares:
For employee savings and incentive plans	0	0
Purchases of ordinary shares	0	0
Share-based compensation	0	0
Balance, end of period	$ 1,414	$ 1,410