Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)	$ 608	$ 554
Translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(2,740)	123
Reclassification to net income	0	12
Income taxes	25	(3)
Translation adjustments	(2,715)	132
Funded status - retirement obligations (Note 8):
Retirement program remeasurements	58	(2)
Reclassifications to net income	22	64
Income taxes	(15)	(18)
Funded status - retirement obligations	65	44
Derivative instruments (Note 5):
Current unrealized gain (loss)	(65)	(17)
Reclassifications to net income	24	0
Income taxes	11	3
Derivative instruments	(30)	(14)
Securities:
Current unrealized gain (loss)	0	(8)
Reclassifications to net income	0	0
Income taxes	0	0
Securities	0	(8)
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(2,680)	154
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)	(2,072)	708
Less: noncontrolling interests	71	30
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - LINDE PLC	$ (2,001)	$ 738