EQUITY Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Beginning balance			$ 3,909	$ 5,263
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			100	204
Repurchase of stock			(132)	(505)
Common stock dividends ($1.32 per share in 2016 and $1.20 per share in 2015)			(550)	(513)
Transactions of equity method investees			(37)	0
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			(3)	0
Other			8	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 333	$ (267)	934	21
Ending balance	4,229	4,470	4,229	4,470
Total International Paper Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Beginning balance			3,884	5,115
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			100	204
Repurchase of stock			(132)	(505)
Common stock dividends ($1.32 per share in 2016 and $1.20 per share in 2015)			(550)	(513)
Transactions of equity method investees			(37)	0
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			0	0
Other			8	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			936	48
Ending balance	4,209	4,349	4,209	4,349
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Beginning balance			25	148
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			0	0
Repurchase of stock			0	0
Common stock dividends ($1.32 per share in 2016 and $1.20 per share in 2015)			0	0
Transactions of equity method investees			0	0
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			(3)	0
Other			0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			(2)	(27)
Ending balance	$ 20	$ 121	$ 20	$ 121