Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Net Earnings (Loss)		$ 334	$ 311
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment		236	(484)
Net gains/losses on cash flow hedging derivatives:
Net gains (losses) arising during the period		4	6
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net earnings (loss)		(1)	3
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	320	(397)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)		654	(86)
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		0	2
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(1)	1
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to International Paper Company		653	(83)
U.S. Plans
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Amortization of pension and post-retirement prior service costs and net loss:		64	78
Foreign Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Pension and postretirement liability adjustments		$ 17	$ 0

[1] All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to AOCI.