General Information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions		3 Months Ended				24 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020		Mar. 31, 2019	[2]	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 28, 2020	Jan. 01, 2018
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Shares repurchased (in shares)	15.1					20.8
Cash paid for repurchase of common stock	$ 250,000,000	$ 124,400,000	[1]	$ 59,500,000
International Paper Company
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of days after exchange		180 days
Dollar limit per unit exchange (lesser of)		$ 250,000,000
Percentage limit per unit exchange (lesser of)		25.00%
International Paper Company
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
IP's ownership interest in GPIP	18.30%					21.60%	21.60%	20.50%

[1] Includes 410,400 shares repurchased but not yet settled as of March 31, 2020.

[2] Includes 33,263 shares repurchased but not yet settled as of March 31, 2019.