LEASES Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
Minimum [Member]
Lessee, operating and financing leases, remaining lease term	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Lessee, operating and financing leases, remaining lease term	97 years

Lessee, operating and financing leases, remaining lease term

No definition available.

Name:	ip_Lesseeoperatingandfinancingleasesremainingleaseterm
Namespace Prefix:	ip_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration