EQUITY (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			$ 8,284	$ 6,636
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			182	345
Repurchase of stock			(685)	(51)
Common stock dividends ($0.7000 per share in 2014 and $0.6000 per share in 2013)			(312)	(272)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests by subsidiary			0	(1)
Noncontrolling interests of acquired entities, net			0	7
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest			41	0
Remeasurement of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(6)	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	307	(31)	187	361
Ending balance	7,691	7,025	7,691	7,025
Total International Paper Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			8,105	6,304
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			182	345
Repurchase of stock			(685)	(51)
Common stock dividends ($0.7000 per share in 2014 and $0.6000 per share in 2013)			(312)	(272)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests by subsidiary			0	0
Noncontrolling interests of acquired entities, net			0	0
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest			41	0
Remeasurement of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(6)	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			197	381
Ending balance	7,522	6,707	7,522	6,707
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 ($0.7000 per share in 2014 and $0.6000 per share in 2013)			0	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests by subsidiary			0	(1)
Noncontrolling interests of acquired entities, net			0	7
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest			0	0
Remeasurement of redeemable noncontrolling interest			0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			(10)	(20)
Ending balance	$ 169	$ 318	$ 169	$ 318