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, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 395	$ 312	$ 684	$ 691
Effect of dilutive securities	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations – assuming dilution	$ 395	$ 312	$ 684	$ 691
Average common shares outstanding	412.9	411.2	412.6	411.0
Average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution	417.4	415.3	417.4	415.5
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.96	$ 0.76	$ 1.65	$ 1.68
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.95	$ 0.75	$ 1.64	$ 1.66
Restricted stock performance share plan
Effect of dilutive securities	4.5	4.1	4.8	4.5