Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	$ 6,739	$ 6,944
Segment operating profit	733	609
Cost reduction programs and other charges (Note 2)	131	89
Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	2,677	2,702
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,633	1,682
APAC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,336	1,427
Engineering
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	608	636
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	485	497
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Purchase accounting impacts - Linde AG	(488)	(531)
Operating Segments | Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	2,677	2,702
Segment operating profit	661	584
Operating Segments | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,633	1,682
Segment operating profit	355	347
Operating Segments | APAC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	1,336	1,427
Segment operating profit	281	273
Operating Segments | Engineering
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	608	636
Segment operating profit	91	78
Operating Segments | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	485	467
Segment operating profit	(36)	(60)
Operating Segments | Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	6,739	6,914
Segment operating profit	1,352	1,222
Cost reduction programs and other charges (Note 2)	(131)	(89)
Net gain on sale of businesses	0	7
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment sales	$ 0	$ 30