<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.2.0.727</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>340</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>310</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>96</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>10</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheet</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheet</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/BasisOfPresentationNote</Role>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RecentAccountingDevelopmentsNote</Role>
      <ShortName>RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - EQUITY (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EquityNote</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeNote</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EarningsPerShareAttributableToInternationalPaperCompanyCommonShareholdersNote</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherChargesNote</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS AND JOINT VENTURES (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/AcquisitionsAndJointVenturesNote</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS AND JOINT VENTURES (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DivestituresSpinoffNote</Role>
      <ShortName>DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2129100 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationNote</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2133100 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesNote</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2134100 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesNote</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2136100 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesNote</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2137100 - Disclosure - VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesAndPreferredSecuritiesOfSubsidiariesNote</Role>
      <ShortName>VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2143100 - Disclosure - DEBT (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DebtNote</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2145100 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesNote</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2152100 - Disclosure - RETIREMENT PLANS (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansNote</Role>
      <ShortName>RETIREMENT PLANS (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2153100 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNote</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2154100 - Disclosure - INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Note)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IndustrySegmentInformationNote</Role>
      <ShortName>INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Note)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - EQUITY (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EquityNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EarningsPerShareAttributableToInternationalPaperCompanyCommonShareholdersTables</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EarningsPerShareAttributableToInternationalPaperCompanyCommonShareholdersNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherChargesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherChargesNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF (Reconciliation of Major Line Items Constituting Pre-Tax Profit (Loss) of Discontinued Operations) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DivestituresSpinoffDivestituresSpinoffReconciliationOfMajorLineItemsConstitutingPreTaxProfitLossOfDiscontinuedOperationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF (Reconciliation of Major Line Items Constituting Pre-Tax Profit (Loss) of Discontinued Operations) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2329301 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2333301 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2334301 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2337301 - Disclosure - VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesAndPreferredSecuritiesOfSubsidiariesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesAndPreferredSecuritiesOfSubsidiariesNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2343301 - Disclosure - DEBT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DebtNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2345301 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2352301 - Disclosure - RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2353301 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2354301 - Disclosure - INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IndustrySegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IndustrySegmentInformationNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - EQUITY (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EquityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - EQUITY (Other) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EquityOtherDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY (Other) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeScheduleOfReclassificationsOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EarningsPerShareAttributableToInternationalPaperCompanyCommonShareholdersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/EarningsPerShareAttributableToInternationalPaperCompanyCommonShareholdersTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherChargesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherChargesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (Narrative)(Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherChargesNarrativedetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (Narrative)(Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherChargesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415404 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (Footnotes) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RestructuringAndOtherChargesRestructuringAndOtherChargesFootnotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (Footnotes) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417401 - Disclosure - ACQUISITIONS AND JOINT VENTURES (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/AcquisitionsAndJointVenturesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ACQUISITIONS AND JOINT VENTURES (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/AcquisitionsAndJointVenturesNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF (Reconciliation of Major Line Items Constituting Pre-Tax Profit (Loss) of Discontinued Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DivestituresSpinoffDivestituresSpinoffReconciliationOfMajorLineItemsConstitutingPreTaxProfitLossOfDiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF (Reconciliation of Major Line Items Constituting Pre-Tax Profit (Loss) of Discontinued Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DivestituresSpinoffDivestituresSpinoffReconciliationOfMajorLineItemsConstitutingPreTaxProfitLossOfDiscontinuedOperationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419403 - Disclosure - DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF (Reconciliation of Major Line Items Constituting Pre-Tax Profit (Loss) of Discontinued Operations (Footnotes) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DivestituresSpinoffDivestituresSpinoffReconciliationOfMajorLineItemsConstitutingPreTaxProfitLossOfDiscontinuedOperationsFootnotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF (Reconciliation of Major Line Items Constituting Pre-Tax Profit (Loss) of Discontinued Operations (Footnotes) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DivestituresSpinoffDivestituresSpinoffReconciliationOfMajorLineItemsConstitutingPreTaxProfitLossOfDiscontinuedOperationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419404 - Disclosure - DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DivestituresSpinoffNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DIVESTITURES / SPINOFF (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DivestituresSpinoffDivestituresSpinoffReconciliationOfMajorLineItemsConstitutingPreTaxProfitLossOfDiscontinuedOperationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429402 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Temporary Investments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationTemporaryInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Temporary Investments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429403 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENT FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Accounts and Notes Receivable) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementFinancialStatementInformationAccountsAndNotesReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENT FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Accounts and Notes Receivable) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429404 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Inventories by Major Category) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationInventoriesByMajorCategoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Inventories by Major Category) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429405 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Depreciation Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationDepreciationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Depreciation Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429406 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Valuation Accounts) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationValuationAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Valuation Accounts) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429407 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Cash Payments Related to Interest) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationCashPaymentsRelatedToInterestDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Cash Payments Related to Interest) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429408 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Schedule of Interest Income and Interest Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationScheduleOfInterestIncomeAndInterestExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Schedule of Interest Income and Interest Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429409 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Schedule of Interest Income and Interest Expense Footnotes) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationScheduleOfInterestIncomeAndInterestExpenseFootnotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION (Schedule of Interest Income and Interest Expense Footnotes) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/SupplementalFinancialStatementInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433402 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (Changes in Goodwill Balances) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesChangesInGoodwillBalancesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES (Changes in Goodwill Balances) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433403 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Identifiable Intangible Assets) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsIdentifiableIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Identifiable Intangible Assets) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2433404 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseOfIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434402 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Income Tax Payments Net of Refunds) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxPaymentsNetOfRefundsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Income Tax Payments Net of Refunds) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434403 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Unrecognized Tax Benefits and Related Accrued Estimated Interest and Penalties) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsAndRelatedAccruedEstimatedInterestAndPenaltiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Unrecognized Tax Benefits and Related Accrued Estimated Interest and Penalties) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434404 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Components of Net Income Tax Provisions Related to Special Items and Discontinued Operations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfNetIncomeTaxProvisionsRelatedToSpecialItemsAndDiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Components of Net Income Tax Provisions Related to Special Items and Discontinued Operations) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434405 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2436401 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Environmental Remediation Obligations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesCommitmentsAndContingenciesEnvironmentalRemediationObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Environmental Remediation Obligations) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2436402 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Litigation) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesLitigationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Litigation) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesNote</ParentRole>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437402 - Disclosure - VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES (Activity Between Company and Entities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesAndPreferredSecuritiesOfSubsidiariesActivityBetweenCompanyAndEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES (Activity Between Company and Entities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesAndPreferredSecuritiesOfSubsidiariesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437403 - Disclosure - VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES (Activity Between Company and Entities Footnotes) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesAndPreferredSecuritiesOfSubsidiariesVariableInterestEntitiesAndPreferredSecuritiesOfSubsidiariesActivityBetweenCompanyAndEntitiesFootnotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES (Activity Between Company and Entities Footnotes) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437404 - Disclosure - VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesAndPreferredSecuritiesOfSubsidiariesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesAndPreferredSecuritiesOfSubsidiariesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443402 - Disclosure - DEBT (Debt Extinguishment)(Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DebtDebtExtinguishmentdetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT (Debt Extinguishment)(Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443403 - Disclosure - DEBT (Debt Extinguishment Footnotes)(Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DebtDebtExtinguishmentFootnotesdetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT (Debt Extinguishment Footnotes)(Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443404 - Disclosure - DEBT (Narrative) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>DEBT (Narrative) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445402 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Notional Amounts of Financial Instruments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesScheduleOfNotionalAmountsOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Notional Amounts of Financial Instruments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445403 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Notional Amounts of Financial Instruments Other) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesScheduleOfNotionalAmountsOfFinancialInstrumentsOtherDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Notional Amounts of Financial Instruments Other) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445404 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Gains Losses Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income AOCI Net of Tax Related to Derivative Instruments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesGainsLossesRecognizedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAociNetOfTaxRelatedToDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Gains Losses Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income AOCI Net of Tax Related to Derivative Instruments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445405 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Gains and Losses Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Qualifying and Non-Qualifying Financial Instruments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesGainsAndLossesRecognizedInConsolidatedStatementOfOperationsOnQualifyingAndNonQualifyingFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Gains and Losses Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Qualifying and Non-Qualifying Financial Instruments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445406 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Gains and Losses Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Qualifying and Non Qualifying Financial Instruments Other) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesDerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesGainsAndLossesRecognizedInConsolidatedStatementOfOperationsOnQualifyingAndNonQualifyingFinancialInstrumentsOtherDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Gains and Losses Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Qualifying and Non Qualifying Financial Instruments Other) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445407 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Interest Rate Derivative Activity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesDerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesScheduleOfInterestRateDerivativeActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Interest Rate Derivative Activity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445408 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Impact of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheet) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesImpactOfDerivativeInstrumentsInConsolidatedBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Impact of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheet) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445409 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Impact of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheet Other) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesImpactOfDerivativeInstrumentsInConsolidatedBalanceSheetOtherDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Impact of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheet Other) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445410 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2452402 - Disclosure - RETIREMENT PLANS (Net Periodic Pension Expense for Qualified and Nonqualified U.S. Defined Benefit Plans) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansNetPeriodicPensionExpenseForQualifiedAndNonqualifiedUSDefinedBenefitPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RETIREMENT PLANS (Net Periodic Pension Expense for Qualified and Nonqualified U.S. Defined Benefit Plans) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2452403 - Disclosure - RETIREMENT PLANS (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RETIREMENT PLANS (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/RetirementPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2453402 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Income Tax Benefits) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/StockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationScheduleOfStockBasedCompensationExpenseRelatedToIncomeTaxBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Income Tax Benefits) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2453403 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2454402 - Disclosure - INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Sales by Industry Segment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IndustrySegmentInformationSalesByIndustrySegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Sales by Industry Segment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IndustrySegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2454403 - Disclosure - INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Operating Profit by Industry Segment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IndustrySegmentInformationOperatingProfitByIndustrySegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Operating Profit by Industry Segment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IndustrySegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2454404 - Disclosure - INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Operating Profit by Industry Segment Footnotes) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IndustrySegmentInformationOperatingProfitByIndustrySegmentFootnotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Operating Profit by Industry Segment Footnotes) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IndustrySegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2454405 - Disclosure - INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IndustrySegmentInformationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalpaper.com/role/IndustrySegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9999.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>Uncategorized Items - ip-20150630.xml</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/role/uncategorizedFacts</Role>
      <ShortName>Uncategorized Items - ip-20150630.xml</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">In ''Consolidated Statement of Operations'', column(s) 7 are contained in other reports, so were removed by flow through suppression.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">In ''Consolidated Balance Sheet'', column(s) 3, 4, 5 are contained in other reports, so were removed by flow through suppression.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in cash flow ''Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows'' have maximum duration 6 months and at least 32 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (8) as many values. Column '[2015-04-01 3m 2015-06-30]' is shorter (3 months) and has only 4 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Columns in cash flow ''Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows'' have maximum duration 6 months and at least 32 values. Shorter duration columns must have at least one fourth (8) as many values. Column '[2014-04-01 3m 2014-06-30]' is shorter (3 months) and has only 4 values, so it is being removed.</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>ip-20150630.xml</File>
    <File>ip-20150630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>ip-20150630_def.xml</File>
    <File>ip-20150630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>ip-20150630_pre.xml</File>
    <File>ip-20150630.xsd</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>

