Equity - Schedule of Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 08, 2019
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 51,522	$ 57,080
Net income	608	553
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,680)	154
Additions (reductions)	2	8
Dividends and other capital changes	(4)	(4)
Redemption value adjustments		0
Dividends to Linde plc ordinary share holders	(511)	(477)
For the dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan	0	0
For employee savings and incentive plans	(18)	6
Purchases of common stock	(1,811)	(704)
Share-based compensation	43	16
Balance, end of period	$ 47,151	$ 56,632
Dividends paid (in dollars per share)	$ 0.963	$ 0.875
Linde plc Shareholders’ Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 49,074	$ 51,596
Net income	573	517
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,574)	221
Redemption value adjustments		0
Dividends to Linde plc ordinary share holders	(511)	(477)
For the dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan	0	0
For employee savings and incentive plans	(18)	6
Purchases of common stock	(1,811)	(704)
Share-based compensation	43	16
Balance, end of period	44,776	51,175
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	2,448	5,484
Net income	35	36
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(106)	(67)
Additions (reductions)	2	8
Dividends and other capital changes	(4)	(4)
Balance, end of period	$ 2,375	5,457
Linde AG
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners		$ 3,200
Linde AG
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Non-controlling participation exchanged (as a percent)			8.00%