Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Apr. 29, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	PACKAGING CORP OF AMERICA
Entity Central Index Key	0000075677
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		93,701,172
Entity File Number	1-15399
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-4277050
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 North Field Court
Entity Address, City or Town	Lake Forest
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60045
City Area Code	847
Local Phone Number	482-3000
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Document Transition Report	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	PKG
Security Exchange Name	NYSE