EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended |
6 Months Ended |
Jun. 30, 2015 |
Jun. 30, 2014 |
Jun. 30, 2015 |
Jun. 30, 2014 |
| Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items] |
|
|
|
|
|
| Earnings (loss) from continuing operations |
|
$ 227
|
$ 174
|
$ 540
|
$ 86
|
| Effect of dilutive securities (a) |
[1] |
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Earnings (loss) from continuing operations - assuming dilution |
|
$ 227
|
$ 174
|
$ 540
|
$ 86
|
| Average common shares outstanding |
|
420.0
|
428.9
|
420.6
|
432.2
|
| Average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution |
|
421.9
|
432.1
|
423.4
|
435.9
|
| Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share |
|
$ 0.54
|
$ 0.40
|
$ 1.28
|
$ 0.20
|
| Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share |
|
$ 0.54
|
$ 0.40
|
$ 1.28
|
$ 0.20
|
| Restricted Stock Performance Share Plan [Member] |
|
|
|
|
|
| Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items] |
|
|
|
|
|
| Effect of dilutive securities (in shares) |
[1] |
1.9
|
3.1
|
2.8
|
3.6
|
| Equity Option [Member] |
|
|
|
|
|
| Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items] |
|
|
|
|
|
| Effect of dilutive securities (in shares) |
[1] |
0.0
|
0.1
|
0.0
|
0.1
|
|
|