Leases (Narrative) (Discontinued Operations) (Details) - Energy-from-Waste [Member] $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Discontinued operations, operating leases, future minimum payments due in each of next five years	$ 2
Discontinued operations, operating leases, future minimum payments due thereafter	40
Discontinued operations, operating leases, future minimum payments due total	$ 50

For discontinued operations, the amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in each of the next five fiscal years following the latest fiscal year.

No definition available.

Name:	apd_DiscontinuedOperationsOperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAnnualNextFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	apd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant