EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 339		$ 387		$ 425		$ 909
Effect of dilutive securities (a)	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations - assuming dilution	$ 339		$ 387		$ 425		$ 909
Average common shares outstanding	425.3		445.9		429.9		444.1
Average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution	428.6		449.7		433.7		448.7
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.80		$ 0.87		$ 0.99		$ 2.05
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.79		$ 0.86		$ 0.98		$ 2.03
Restricted Stock Performance Share Plan [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	3.3	[1]	3.6	[1]	3.7	[1]	4.3	[1]
Stock Options [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	0	[1]	0.2	[1]	0.1	[1]	0.3	[1]

[1] Securities are not included in the table in periods when antidilutive.