EQUITY Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 3,909	$ 5,263
Issuance of stock for various plans, net	(6)	141
Repurchase of stock	(131)	(141)
Common stock dividends ($0.4400 per share in 2016 and $0.4000 per share in 2015)	(183)	(174)
Transactions of equity method investees	17	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	654	(86)
Ending balance	4,260	5,003
Total International Paper Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	3,884	5,115
Issuance of stock for various plans, net	(6)	141
Repurchase of stock	(131)	(141)
Common stock dividends ($0.4400 per share in 2016 and $0.4000 per share in 2015)	(183)	(174)
Transactions of equity method investees	17	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	653	(83)
Ending balance	4,234	4,858
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	25	148
Issuance of stock for various plans, net	0	0
Repurchase of stock	0	0
Common stock dividends ($0.4400 per share in 2016 and $0.4000 per share in 2015)	0	0
Transactions of equity method investees	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	1	(3)
Ending balance	$ 26	$ 145