EQUITY (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 8,284	$ 6,636
Issuance of stock for various plans, net	128	265
Repurchase of stock	(388)	(51)
Common stock dividends ($0.3500 per share in 2014 and $0.3000 per share in 2013)	(158)	(136)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests by subsidiary	0	(1)
Noncontrolling interests of acquired entities	0	29
Comprehensive income (loss)	(120)	392
Ending balance	7,746	7,134
Total International Paper Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	8,105	6,304
Issuance of stock for various plans, net	128	265
Repurchase of stock	(388)	(51)
Common stock dividends ($0.3500 per share in 2014 and $0.3000 per share in 2013)	(158)	(136)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests by subsidiary	0	0
Noncontrolling interests of acquired entities	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(114)	396
Ending balance	7,573	6,778
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	179	332
Issuance of stock for various plans, net	0	0
Repurchase of stock	0	0
Common stock dividends ($0.3500 per share in 2014 and $0.3000 per share in 2013)	0	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests by subsidiary	0	(1)
Noncontrolling interests of acquired entities	0	29
Comprehensive income (loss)	(6)	(4)
Ending balance	$ 173	$ 356