EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS Table (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		$ 339	$ 313
Effect of dilutive securities (a)	[1]	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations - assuming dilution		$ 339	$ 313
Average common shares outstanding		410.8	421.2
Average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution		414.0	423.7
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share		$ 0.82	$ 0.74
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share		$ 0.82	$ 0.74
Restricted Stock Performance Share Plan [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	[1]	3.2	2.5

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