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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KxPIFxhMRNsJKmzrWZVrOnwJGZ7Q2CJ+xbs5hkubZXN9MbkngPT0lpJ9+4D3+jMW
 Tn9mvR5JBTJL/jcqNd4oLw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000884905-04-000047.txt : 20040226
<SEC-HEADER>0000884905-04-000047.hdr.sgml : 20040226
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040226072724
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000884905-04-000047
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040224
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040226

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BULUS DOMINGOS H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001257619

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11037
		FILM NUMBER:		04628877

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		39 OLD RIDGEBURY RD
		CITY:			DANBURY
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06810-5113

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PRAXAIR INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000884905
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INDUSTRIAL INORGANIC CHEMICALS [2810]
		IRS NUMBER:				061249050
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		39 OLD RIDGEBURY RD
		CITY:			DANBURY
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06810-5113
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2038372000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		39 OLD RIDGEBURY ROAD
		CITY:			DANBURY
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06810-5113

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	UNION CARBIDE INDUSTRIAL GASES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19600201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-24</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000884905</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PRAXAIR INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001257619</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BULUS DOMINGOS H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>RUA MAYRINK VEIGA NO. 9</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>27 ANDAR, CENTRO</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RIO DE JANEIRO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>D5</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>36.58</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-24</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>22000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>36.58</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>22000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>22000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option vests in three equal annual installments beginning on February 24, 2005.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Mark S. Lyon, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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