EQUITY (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			$ 5,263	$ 8,284
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			175	182
Repurchase of stock			(353)	(685)
Common stock dividends ($.8000 per share in 2015 and $0.7000 per share in 2014)			(345)	(312)
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interests			0	41
Remeasurement of redeemable noncontrolling interest			0	(6)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 374	$ 307	288	187
Ending balance	5,028	7,691	5,028	7,691
Total International Paper Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			5,115	8,105
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			175	182
Repurchase of stock			(353)	(685)
Common stock dividends ($.8000 per share in 2015 and $0.7000 per share in 2014)			(345)	(312)
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interests			0	41
Remeasurement of redeemable noncontrolling interest			0	(6)
Comprehensive income (loss)			300	197
Ending balance	4,892	7,522	4,892	7,522
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			148	179
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			0	0
Repurchase of stock			0	0
Common stock dividends ($.8000 per share in 2015 and $0.7000 per share in 2014)			0	0
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interests			0	0
Remeasurement of redeemable noncontrolling interest			0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			(12)	(10)
Ending balance	$ 136	$ 169	$ 136	$ 169