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[Abstract] Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Industrial Packaging Industrial Packaging [Member] Industrial Packaging [Member] Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge Other Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Terminated derivative notional amount Terminated derivative notional amount Terminated derivative notional amount Ilim Holding [Member] Ilim Holding [Member] Ilim Holding [Member] Valuation allowance, deferred tax asset, increase (decrease), amount Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Interest expense, net Interest expense, net Interest Income (Expense), Net 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Disclosure [Text Block] Loss contingency accrual Loss Contingency Accrual Actual return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Increase (Decrease) for Actual Return (Loss) Defined Benefit Plan Defined Benefit Plan [Text Block] Equity earnings (loss), net of taxes Equity (earnings) losses, net Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Actual Allocation Percentage Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Actual Allocation, Percentage Current nonrecourse financial liabilities of variable interest entities (Note 15) Current nonrecourse financial liabilities of variable interest entities Current nonrecourse financial liabilities of variable interest entities Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity earnings Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity earnings Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity earnings Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income 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Items] Goodwill [Line Items] International Paper debt obligations held by the Entities Debt and Lease Obligation Forestlands average sales Forestlands Acreage Sales Forestlands Acreage Sales Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table] 5.150% notes – due 2046 Five Point One Five Percentage Notes Due Twenty Forty Six [Member] Five Point One Five Percentage Notes Due Twenty Forty Six [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Finished pulp, paper and packaging products Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves Accounts and notes receivable Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables Expected long term return on assets for next year Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long Term Return on Assets for Next Year Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used 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Stock Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Operating lease, weighted average discount rate, percent Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Noncurrent assets Assets, Noncurrent Corporate & Intersegment Intersegment Eliminations [Member] Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Abandoned property removal Payments for Removal Costs Lessee, finance lease, liability, undiscounted excess amount Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Other comprehensive income (loss), foreign currency transaction and translation adjustment, before tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax Equity accounts Equity Securities [Member] Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] Other Comprehensive Income Location [Axis] Other Comprehensive Income Location [Axis] 7.350% notes – due 2025 Seven Point Three Five Percentage Notes Due Twenty Twenty Five [Member] Seven Point Three Five Percentage Notes Due Twenty Twenty Five [Member] Current financial assets of variable interest entities (Note 15) Current financial assets of variable interest entities Current financial assets of variable interest entities Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Environmental remediation reserve adjustment Other Increase (Decrease) in Environmental Liabilities Net deferred income tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance Extinguishment of Debt, Type 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Loss Carryforwards Multi-employer pension plan exit liability Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation Other current assets Other Assets, Current Foreign tax credits Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Foreign, Amount Changes In Goodwill Balances [Table Text Block] Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] EMEA EMEA [Member] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Contract with customer, liability, current Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Gain (loss) on sale of assets and impairment charge allocated to minority interest Gain (loss) on sale of assets and impairment charge allocated to minority interest Gain (loss) on sale of assets and impairment charge allocated to minority interest Gain (loss) on sale of assets and impairment charge allocated to minority interest Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Weighted average common shares outstanding  – assuming dilution Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Other current liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Other Environmental Remediation Costs Environmental Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Shares/units, forfeited Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period European Papers European Papers [Member] European Papers [Member] Restructuring Plan [Axis] Restructuring Plan [Axis] Environmental reserves Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Accrued Liabilities CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Reduction of debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Inventories Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Inventory New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract] Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract] Business net special items Segment Reporting Information, Business Special Items Segment Reporting Information, Business Special Items Assumptions Used To Determine Compensation Cost For Market Condition Component Of Performance Share Program [Table Text Block] Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Method Used Text Block For each plan, identification of the award pricing model or other valuation method used in calculating the weighted average fair values disclosed. The model is also used to calculate the compensation expense that is shown within the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow. Examples of valuation techniques are lattice models (binomial model), closed-form models (Black-Scholes-Merton formula), and a Monte Carlo simulation technique. Fair value is the amount at which an asset (or liability) could be bought (or incurred) or sold (or settled) in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. May include disclosures about the assumptions underlying application of the method selected. 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Actuarial Gain (Loss) Total, net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards, net Long-term debt, fair value Long-term Debt, Fair Value Inventories Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] Income tax provision (benefit) Income tax provision (benefit) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Year that the rate reaches the rate it is assumed to remain Defined Benefit Plan, Year Health Care Cost Trend Rate Reaches Ultimate Trend Rate Pre-tax charges (gains) Pre-tax charges (gains) Pre-tax charges (gains) Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Beginning Balance Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Ending Balance Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Plants, Properties And Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Finance lease, liability, current Finance Lease, Liability, Current Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Tax Special Items [Axis] Tax Special Items [Axis] Tax Special Items [Axis] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Amortization Expense Of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Finite-lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Credit risk derivatives, at fair value, net Credit Risk Derivatives, at Fair Value, Net Cash and Temporary Investments Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value [Abstract] Restructuring Liabilities and Costs Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities or Restructurings, Policy [Policy Text Block] Derivative [Line Items] Derivative [Line Items] Accrual for environmental loss contingencies Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies Prior-service costs Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Prior Service Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Net Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedging Derivatives Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] Net (gains) losses on sales and impairments of businesses Net (gains) losses on sales and impairments of businesses [Member] Net (gains) losses on sales and impairments of businesses Long-term Debt, Gross Long-term Debt, Gross Net Sales External sales by reportable segment External sales by reportable segment Reductions for tax positions related to prior years Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Riverdale mill conversion severance Riverdale mill conversion Riverdale mill conversion [Member] Riverdale mill conversion [Member] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Revolving credit facilities available Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Discount rate Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate Short-term Debt Commercial Paper Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases [Table Text Block] Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases [Table Text Block] [Table Text Block] for Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases [Table] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Major Property Class [Domain] Major Property Class [Domain] Net Periodic Pension Expense For Qualified And Nonqualified U.S. Defined Benefit Plans [Table Text Block] Components Of Postretirement Benefit Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan [Table Text Block] Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan [Table Text Block] Tax expense (benefit) on manufacturing activities Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Qualified Production Activity, Amount Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Current liability Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Current India divestiture transaction costs Divestiture costs Divestiture costs Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract] Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract] Gain (loss) on sale of equity method investment, net of tax Gain (loss) on sale of equity method investment, net of tax Gain (loss) on sale of equity method investment, net of tax Reportable Subsegments [Member] Reportable Subsegments [Member] Less: Common stock held in treasury, at cost, 2020 – 55.8 shares and 2019 – 56.8 shares Treasury Stock, Value Equity method investment, shares repurchased by parent Equity method investment, shares repurchased by parent Equity method investment, shares repurchased by parent Retirement Plans [Member] Pension Plan [Member] Earnings Per Share Attributable To International Paper Company Common Shareholders Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations, Discount rate Discount rate Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Statutory U.S. income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Long-Term Nonrecourse Financial Liabilities of Variable Interest Entities (Note 15) Long-term nonrecourse financial liabilities of variable interest entities Long-term nonrecourse financial liabilities of variable interest entities Fair value, investments, entities that calculate net asset value per share, investment redemption, frequency Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Investment Redemption, Frequency Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets Level 3 Reconciliation, Increase (Decrease) for Assets Transferred into (out of) Level 3 Income Tax Contingency [Table] Income Tax Contingency [Table] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY COMMON SHAREHOLDERS Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Lease liability, payments, due next twelve months Lease Liability, Payments, Due Next 12 Months Lease Liability, Payments, Due Next 12 Months Subsegments [Axis] Subsegments [Axis]