EQUITY (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			$ 5,263	$ 8,284
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			204	221
Repurchase of stock			(505)	(891)
Common stock dividends ($1.20 per share in 2015 and $1.05 per share in 2014)			(513)	(462)
Xpedx spinoff			0	(313)
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interests			0	47
Remeasurement of redeemable noncontrolling interest			0	(6)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (267)	$ (90)	21	97
Ending balance	4,470	6,977	4,470	6,977
Total International Paper Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			5,115	8,105
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			204	221
Repurchase of stock			(505)	(891)
Common stock dividends ($1.20 per share in 2015 and $1.05 per share in 2014)			(513)	(462)
Xpedx spinoff			0	(313)
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interests			0	47
Remeasurement of redeemable noncontrolling interest			0	(6)
Comprehensive income (loss)			48	115
Ending balance	4,349	6,816	4,349	6,816
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 ($1.20 per share in 2015 and $1.05 per share in 2014)			0	0
Xpedx spinoff			0	0
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interests			0	0
Remeasurement of redeemable noncontrolling interest			0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			(27)	(18)
Ending balance	$ 121	$ 161	$ 121	$ 161