Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Apr. 24, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 29, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-11261
Entity Registrant Name	SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	SC
Entity Tax Identification Number	57-0248420
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 N. Second St.
Entity Address, City or Town	Hartsville
Entity Address, State or Province	SC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	29550
City Area Code	843
Local Phone Number	383-7000
Title of 12(b) Security	No par value common stock
Trading Symbol	SON
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		100,329,316
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Central Index Key	0000091767
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020