Earnings Per Share Attributable To International Paper Company Common Shareholders (Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 224		$ 93		$ 517		$ (69)
Effect of dilutive securities	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations - assuming dilution	$ 224		$ 93		$ 517		$ (69)
Average common shares outstanding	428.6		429.6		429.4		429.2
Average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution	430.5		433.4		433.4		429.2
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.52		$ 0.22		$ 1.20		$ (0.16)
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share	$ 0.52		$ 0.21		$ 1.19		$ (0.16)
Stock options, options to purchase shares not included in the computation of diluted common shares outstanding	17.0		19.9		17.0		19.9
Restricted Stock Performance Share Plan [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities	1.9		3.8		4.0		0
Stock Options [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]

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

[2] Options to purchase 17.0 million shares and 19.9 million shares for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and options to purchase 17.0 million shares and 19.9 million shares for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted common shares outstanding because their exercise price exceeded the average market price of the Company's common stock for each respective reporting period.