Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)	$ 551	$ 499	$ 1,105	$ 971
Translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(170)	(640)	(47)	(534)
Reclassification to net income (Note 17)	0	0	12	0
Income taxes	8	(3)	5	6
Translation adjustments	(162)	(643)	(30)	(528)
Funded status - retirement obligations (Note 11):
Retirement program remeasurements	(32)	(9)	(34)	(8)
Reclassifications to net income	23	17	87	34
Income taxes	1	(2)	(17)	(6)
Funded status - retirement obligations	(8)	6	36	20
Derivative instruments (Note 7):
Current quarter unrealized gain (loss)	(3)	0	(20)	0
Reclassifications to net income	0	0	0	0
Income taxes	1	0	4	0
Derivative instruments	(2)	0	(16)	0
Securities:
Current year unrealized gain (loss)	9	0	1	0
Reclassifications to net income	0	0	0	0
Income taxes	0	0	0	0
Securities	9	0	1	0
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(163)	(637)	(9)	(508)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)	388	(138)	1,096	463
Less: noncontrolling interests	(8)	2	22	(19)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - LINDE PLC	$ 380	$ (136)	$ 1,118	$ 444