EQUITY (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			$ 8,284	$ 6,636
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			221	418
Repurchase of stock			(891)	(70)
Common stock dividends ($1.05 per share in 2014 and $0.9000 per share in 2013)			(462)	(409)
Adjustments to additional paid in capital, other			(313)	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests by subsidiary			0	(1)
Noncontrolling interests of acquired entities, net			0	7
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest			47	0
Remeasurement of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(6)	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(90)	600	97	961
Ending balance	6,977	7,542	6,977	7,542
Total International Paper Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			8,105	6,304
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			221	418
Repurchase of stock			(891)	(70)
Common stock dividends ($1.05 per share in 2014 and $0.9000 per share in 2013)			(462)	(409)
Adjustments to additional paid in capital, other			(313)	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests by subsidiary			0	0
Noncontrolling interests of acquired entities, net			0	0
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest			47	0
Remeasurement of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(6)	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			115	987
Ending balance	6,816	7,230	6,816	7,230
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 ($1.05 per share in 2014 and $0.9000 per share in 2013)			0	0
Adjustments to additional paid in capital, other				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)			(18)	(26)
Ending balance	$ 161	$ 312	$ 161	$ 312