Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 26, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NY
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares
Entity Address, Address Line One	6400 Poplar Avenue
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	38197
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-03157
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	IP
Entity Registrant Name	INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
Entity Central Index Key	0000051434
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		392,836,359
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Address, City or Town	Memphis
Entity Address, State or Province	TN
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-0872805
City Area Code	901
Local Phone Number	419-7000
Security Exchange Name	NYSE