Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Presentation of Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - In the opinion of Praxair, Inc. (Praxair) management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented and such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements of Praxair, Inc. and subsidiaries in Praxair's 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to the company's significant accounting policies during 2012. Accounting Standards Implemented in 2012 The following standards were effective for Praxair in 2012 and their adoption did not have a significant impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements: Testing for Goodwill Impairment - In September 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance on the periodic testing of goodwill for impairment. This guidance provides companies with the option to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that goodwill might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under current accounting standards. Praxair will apply the updated guidance during its next annual goodwill review in the second quarter of 2012. Other Comprehensive Income - In June 2011, the FASB issued (and subsequently amended in December 2011) a revised standard regarding the presentation of other comprehensive income. Praxair has elected a two-statement approach. Refer to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income following the Consolidated Statements of Income. Expanded Disclosures for Fair Value Measurements - In May 2011, the FASB issued additional guidance expanding the disclosures for Fair Value Measurements, particularly Level 3 inputs. Refer to Note 5 for the additional guidance, as applicable. Accounting Standards to be Implemented Offsetting Assets and Liabilities – In December 2011, the FASB issued updated disclosure requirements related to a company's right or requirement to offset balance sheet items and the related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. The new guidance requires the disclosure of the gross amounts subject to rights of setoff, amounts offset, and the related net exposure. This guidance will be effective for Praxair beginning with the first quarter 2013. Praxair does not expect this requirement to have any impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Presentation of Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - In the opinion of Praxair, Inc. (Praxair) management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented and such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements of Praxair, Inc. and subsidiaries in Praxair's 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to the company's significant accounting policies during 2012.

Accounting Standards Implemented in 2012

The following standards were effective for Praxair in 2012 and their adoption did not have a significant impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements:

Testing for Goodwill Impairment - In September 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance on the periodic testing of goodwill for impairment. This guidance provides companies with the option to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that goodwill might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under current accounting standards. Praxair will apply the updated guidance during its next annual goodwill review in the second quarter of 2012.
Other Comprehensive Income - In June 2011, the FASB issued (and subsequently amended in December 2011) a revised standard regarding the presentation of other comprehensive income. Praxair has elected a two-statement approach. Refer to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income following the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Expanded Disclosures for Fair Value Measurements - In May 2011, the FASB issued additional guidance expanding the disclosures for Fair Value Measurements, particularly Level 3 inputs. Refer to Note 5 for the additional guidance, as applicable.

Accounting Standards to be Implemented

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities – In December 2011, the FASB issued updated disclosure requirements related to a company's right or requirement to offset balance sheet items and the related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. The new guidance requires the disclosure of the gross amounts subject to rights of setoff, amounts offset, and the related net exposure. This guidance will be effective for Praxair beginning with the first quarter 2013. Praxair does not expect this requirement to have any impact on the consolidated financial statements.