CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 5,374,207	$ 5,390,938	$ 5,036,650
Cost of sales	4,316,378	4,349,932	4,077,998
Gross profit	1,057,829	1,041,006	958,652
Selling, general and administrative expenses	530,867	563,306	507,824
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	59,880	40,071	38,419
Operating profit	467,082	437,629	412,409
Non-operating pension costs	24,713	941	45,110
Interest expense	66,845	63,147	57,220
Interest income	5,242	4,990	4,475
Income before income taxes	380,766	378,531	314,554
Provision for income taxes	93,269	75,008	146,589
Income before equity in earnings of affiliates	287,497	303,523	167,965
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	5,171	11,216	9,482
Net income	292,668	314,739	177,447
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(883)	(1,179)	(2,102)
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$ 291,785	$ 313,560	$ 175,345
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	100,742	100,539	100,237
Assuming exercise of awards (in shares)	434	477	615
Diluted (in shares)	101,176	101,016	100,852
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic (usd per share)	$ 2.90	$ 3.12	$ 1.75
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 2.88	$ 3.10	$ 1.74