EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings (loss) attributable to International Paper Company common shareholders		$ 349	$ (141)
Weighted average common shares outstanding		392.8	392.6
Restricted performance share plan	[1]	2.0	0.0
Weighted average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution		394.8	392.6
Net earnings (loss)		$ 0.89	$ (0.36)
Net earnings (loss)		$ 0.88	$ (0.36)

[1] Securities are not included in the table in periods when antidilutive