EQUITY Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			$ 3,909	$ 5,263
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			73	175
Repurchase of stock			(132)	(353)
Common stock dividends ($0.8800 per share in 2016 and $0.8000 per share in 2015)			(366)	(345)
Transactions of equity method investees			(36)	0
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			(3)	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (53)	$ 374	601	288
Ending balance	4,046	5,028	4,046	5,028
Total International Paper Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance			3,884	5,115
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			73	175
Repurchase of stock			(132)	(353)
Common stock dividends ($0.8800 per share in 2016 and $0.8000 per share in 2015)			(366)	(345)
Transactions of equity method investees			(36)	0
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			601	300
Ending balance	4,024	4,892	4,024	4,892
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 ($0.8800 per share in 2016 and $0.8000 per share in 2015)			0	0
Transactions of equity method investees			0	0
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			(3)	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			0	(12)
Ending balance	$ 22	$ 136	$ 22	$ 136