Impact on Consolidated Statement of Operations Due to Elimination of One Quarter Reporting Lag for Ilim (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Equity earnings (loss)	$ (26)	$ 52	$ 18	$ 117
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	121	227	308	537
Net earnings (loss) attributable to International Paper Company	134	219	322	573
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ 0.27	$ 0.51	$ 0.69	$ 1.22
Basic net earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.31	$ 0.51	$ 0.74	$ 1.33
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ 0.27	$ 0.51	$ 0.68	$ 1.21
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.31	$ 0.51	$ 0.73	$ 1.32
Equity Method Lag Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Equity earnings (loss)		(5)		7
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		(5)		7
Net earnings (loss) attributable to International Paper Company		$ (5)		$ 7
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations		$ (0.01)		$ 0.02
Basic net earnings (loss) per share		$ (0.01)		$ 0.02
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations		$ (0.01)		$ 0.02
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share		$ (0.01)		$ 0.02