Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Net Sales	$ 4,866	$ 5,667	$ 10,218	$ 11,310
Costs and Expenses
Cost of products sold	3,427	3,901	7,173	7,830
Selling and administrative expenses	332	402	750	815
Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested	312	321	635	636
Distribution expenses	365	384	772	773
Taxes other than payroll and income taxes	41	43	85	86
Restructuring and other charges, net	18	0	26	0
Net (gains) losses on sales and impairments of businesses	8	152	352	145
Net (gains) losses on sales of equity method investments	0	0	(33)	0
Interest expense, net	116	122	233	255
Non-operating pension expense (income)	(14)	8	(20)	18
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes and Equity Earnings	261	334	245	752
Income tax provision (benefit)	67	128	161	234
Equity earnings (loss), net of taxes	72	80	41	194
Net Earnings (Loss)	266	286	125	712
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(6)	0	(4)
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to International Paper Company	$ 266	$ 292	$ 125	$ 716
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to International Paper Company Common Shareholders	$ 0.67	$ 0.74	$ 0.32	$ 1.80
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to International Paper Company Common Shareholders	$ 0.67	$ 0.73	$ 0.32	$ 1.78
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding – assuming dilution	393.1	398.2	394.0	401.4