CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
NET REVENUES	$ 974	$ 966	$ 2,985	$ 2,847
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of Sales	(854)	(813)	(2,599)	(2,491)
Selling	(26)	(27)	(84)	(82)
General and administrative	(42)	(37)	(142)	(121)
Other operating income (expense)	(24)	(6)	(40)	(8)
Total costs and expenses	(946)	(883)	(2,865)	(2,702)
OPERATING INCOME	28	83	120	145
Other non-operating income (expense)	(1)	0	(5)	0
Interest income on financial assets of special purpose entities	2	2	2	4
Interest expense on nonrecourse financial liabilities of special purpose entities	(4)	(5)	(13)	(14)
Interest expense on debt	(11)	(13)	(34)	(39)
INCOME BEFORE TAXES	14	67	70	96
Income tax benefit (expense)	(7)	59	(29)	45
NET INCOME	7	126	41	141
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of special purpose entities	(1)	(1)	0	0
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO TEMPLE-INLAND INC	$ 6	$ 125	$ 41	$ 141
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic	109.3	107.9	108.7	107.8
Diluted	111.7	109.4	110.9	109.5
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic	$ 0.05	$ 1.15	$ 0.38	$ 1.30
Diluted	$ 0.05	$ 1.13	$ 0.37	$ 1.28
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE	$ 0.13	$ 0.11	$ 0.39	$ 0.33