EQUITY Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Balance, January 1			$ 4,359	$ 3,909
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			94	73
Repurchase of stock			(46)	(132)
Common stock dividends ($.9250 per share in 2017 and $.8800 per share in 2016)			(390)	(366)
Transactions of equity method investees			3	(36)
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			0	(3)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 125	$ (53)	545	601
Ending Balance, March 31	4,565	4,046	4,565	4,046
Total International Paper Shareholders’ Equity
Balance, January 1			4,341	3,884
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			94	73
Repurchase of stock			(46)	(132)
Common stock dividends ($.9250 per share in 2017 and $.8800 per share in 2016)			(390)	(366)
Transactions of equity method investees			3	(36)
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			543	601
Ending Balance, March 31	4,545	4,024	4,545	4,024
Noncontrolling Interests
Balance, January 1			18	25
Issuance of stock for various plans, net			0	0
Repurchase of stock			0	0
Common stock dividends ($.9250 per share in 2017 and $.8800 per share in 2016)			0	0
Transactions of equity method investees			0	0
Divestiture of noncontrolling interests			0	(3)
Comprehensive income (loss)			2	0
Ending Balance, March 31	$ 20	$ 22	$ 20	$ 22