Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Stockholders equity and AOCI information [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Balance in AOCI Tax Impact	$ 1
Taxes on retirement obligations	4	1
Dividends to Praxair, Inc. common stock	$ 0.55	$ 0.50
Total Equity [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of period	5,797	6,145
Net income	432	409
Translation Adjustments	272	230
Funded Status - retirement obligations, net of taxes	7	3
Comprehensive income (loss)	693	622
Dividends and other capital changes to noncontrolling interests	(4)	3
Additions (reductions) to noncontrolling interests		1
Dividends to Praxair, Inc. commom stock	(164)	(152)
For the dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan	3	2
For employee savings and incentive plans	58	77
Purchase of Common Stock	(182)	(210)
Tax benefit from share based compensation	31	20
Redemption value adjustment/accretion	(4)
Share-based compensation	17	14
Balance, end of period	6,267	6,537
Cumulative translation adjustment (CTA)	(785)		(1,057)
Derivative instruments	(4)		(5)
Pension / OPEB funded status obligation	(677)		(684)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive income (loss)	(1,472)		(1,746)
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Carrying Amount, Beginning Balance	220
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	5
Redemption value adjustment/accretion	(4)
Decrease From Distributions to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Holders	2
Foreign currency translation and other	5
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Carrying Amount, Ending Balance	232
Praxair, Inc. Shareholders Equity
Total Equity [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of period	5,488	5,792
Net income	419	398
Translation Adjustments	266	220
Derivative Instruments, net of taxes	1	1
Funded Status - retirement obligations, net of taxes	7	3
Dividends to Praxair, Inc. commom stock	(164)	(152)
For the dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan	3	2
For employee savings and incentive plans	58	77
Purchase of Common Stock	(182)	(210)
Tax benefit from share based compensation	31	20
Redemption value adjustment/accretion	(4)
Share-based compensation	17	14
Balance, end of period	5,940	6,165
Accumulated Other Comprehensive income (loss)	(1,466)		(1,746)
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Redemption value adjustment/accretion	(4)
Noncontrolling Interest
Total Equity [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of period	309	353
Net income	8	11
Translation Adjustments	6	10
Comprehensive income (loss)	14	21
Dividends and other capital changes to noncontrolling interests	(4)	3
Additions (reductions) to noncontrolling interests		1
Balance, end of period	327	372
Accumulated Other Comprehensive income (loss)	6
Total Net Income Excluding Portion Attributable To Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Member
Total Equity [Abstract]
Net income	427
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 707