EQUITY Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Balance, January 1			$ 4,359	$ 3,909
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			130	100
Repurchase of stock			(46)	(132)
Common stock dividends ($1.3875 per share in 2017 and $1.3200 per share in 2016)			(584)	(550)
Transactions of equity method investees			(24)	(37)
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			0	(3)
Other			0	8
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 553	$ 333	1,098	934
Ending Balance, September 30	4,933	4,229	4,933	4,229
Total International Paper Shareholders’ Equity
Balance, January 1			4,341	3,884
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			130	100
Repurchase of stock			(46)	(132)
Common stock dividends ($1.3875 per share in 2017 and $1.3200 per share in 2016)			(584)	(550)
Transactions of equity method investees			(24)	(37)
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			0	0
Other			0	8
Comprehensive income (loss)			1,097	936
Ending Balance, September 30	4,914	4,209	4,914	4,209
Noncontrolling Interests
Balance, January 1			18	25
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			0	0
Repurchase of stock			0	0
Common stock dividends ($1.3875 per share in 2017 and $1.3200 per share in 2016)			0	0
Transactions of equity method investees			0	0
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			0	(3)
Other			0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			1	(2)
Ending Balance, September 30	$ 19	$ 20	$ 19	$ 20