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, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 209	$ 339
Effect of dilutive securities	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations – assuming dilution	$ 209	$ 339
Average common shares outstanding	412.1	410.8
Average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution	416.0	414.0
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.51	$ 0.82
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.50	$ 0.82
Restricted stock performance share plan
Effect of dilutive securities	3.9	3.2