EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings (loss) attributable to International Paper Company common shareholders	$ 204	$ 344	$ 329	$ 1,060
Weighted average common shares outstanding	393.1	392.6	392.9	396.3
Restricted performance share plan	1.5	2.8	1.6	3.3
Weighted average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution	394.6	395.4	394.5	399.6
Net earnings (loss)	$ 0.52	$ 0.88	$ 0.84	$ 2.67
Net earnings (loss)	$ 0.52	$ 0.87	$ 0.83	$ 2.65