EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS Table (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 312	$ 220	$ 691	$ 760
Effect of dilutive securities	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations - assuming dilution	$ 312	$ 220	$ 691	$ 760
Average common shares outstanding	411.2	415.1	411.0	418.7
Average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution	415.3	417.5	415.5	421.9
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.76	$ 0.53	$ 1.68	$ 1.81
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.75	$ 0.53	$ 1.66	$ 1.80
Restricted Stock Performance Share Plan [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	4.1	2.4	4.5	3.2