EQUITY Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Balance, January 1	$ 6,541	$ 4,359
Adoption of ASC 606 revenue from contracts with customers			$ 73	$ 0
Issuance of stock for various plans, net	38	54
Repurchase of stock	(31)	(46)
Common stock dividends ($.4750 per share in 2018 and $.4625 per share in 2017)	(199)	(195)
Transactions of equity method investees	10	2
Comprehensive income (loss)	833	420
Ending Balance, March 31	7,265	4,594
Total International Paper Shareholders’ Equity
Balance, January 1	6,522	4,341
Adoption of ASC 606 revenue from contracts with customers			73	0
Issuance of stock for various plans, net	38	54
Repurchase of stock	(31)	(46)
Common stock dividends ($.4750 per share in 2018 and $.4625 per share in 2017)	(199)	(195)
Transactions of equity method investees	10	2
Comprehensive income (loss)	832	419
Ending Balance, March 31	7,245	4,575
Noncontrolling Interests
Balance, January 1	19	18
Adoption of ASC 606 revenue from contracts with customers			$ 0	$ 0
Issuance of stock for various plans, net	0	0
Repurchase of stock	0	0
Common stock dividends ($.4750 per share in 2018 and $.4625 per share in 2017)	0	0
Transactions of equity method investees	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	1	1
Ending Balance, March 31	$ 20	$ 19