<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>534</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>538</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>152</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</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.packagingcorp.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Earnings Pe Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EarningsPeShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Pe Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Alternative Energy Tax Credits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AlternativeEnergyTaxCredits</Role>
      <ShortName>Alternative Energy Tax Credits</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2126100 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2132100 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2142100 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2145100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2148100 - Disclosure - Concentrations of Risk Concentrations of Risk</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ConcentrationsOfRiskConcentrationsOfRisk</Role>
      <ShortName>Concentrations of Risk Concentrations of Risk</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2149100 - Disclosure - Asset Retirement Obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AssetRetirementObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Retirement Obligations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2151100 - Disclosure - Transactions With Related Parties</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/TransactionsWithRelatedParties</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions With Related Parties</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2152100 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AccruedLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2153100 - Disclosure - Other Expense, Net Other Expense, Net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/OtherExpenseNetOtherExpenseNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense, Net Other Expense, Net</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2154100 - Disclosure - U.S. Treasury Grant</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/USTreasuryGrant</Role>
      <ShortName>U.S. Treasury Grant</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2155100 - Disclosure - Segment Information Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information Segment Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2156100 - Disclosure - Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesIndemnificationsAndLegalProceedings</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2163100 - Disclosure - Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/QuarterlyResultsOfOperationsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2166100 - Disclosure - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ScheduleIiValuationAndQualifyingAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentationNatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2255201 - Disclosure - Segment Information Segment Information (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentInformationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information Segment Information (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302302 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2326301 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2332301 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2342301 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2345301 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2349301 - Disclosure - Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AssetRetirementObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2352301 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2353301 - Disclosure - Other Expense, Net Other Expense, Net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/OtherExpenseNetOtherExpenseNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense, Net Other Expense, Net (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2355302 - Disclosure - Segment Information Segment Informaiton (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentInformaitonTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information Segment Informaiton (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2356301 - Disclosure - Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesIndemnificationsAndLegalProceedingsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2363301 - Disclosure - Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/QuarterlyResultsOfOperationsUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Components of Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesComponentsOfInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Components of Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402405 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402406 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Estimated Useful Lives of Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesEstimatedUsefulLivesOfAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Estimated Useful Lives of Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AcquisitionsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AcquisitionsPurchasePriceAllocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403404 - Disclosure - Acquisitions Acquisitions Pro Forma Financial Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AcquisitionsAcquisitionsProFormaFinancialInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions Acquisitions Pro Forma Financial Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Computation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Common Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EarningsPerShareComputationOfBasicAndDilutedIncomePerCommonShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Computation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Common Share (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Components of Consolidated Income Tax Provision (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfConsolidatedIncomeTaxProvisionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Components of Consolidated Income Tax Provision (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Summary of Effective Tax Rate (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/IncomeTaxesSummaryOfEffectiveTaxRateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Summary of Effective Tax Rate (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405404 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/IncomeTaxesSummaryOfOperatingLossCarryforwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405405 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/IncomeTaxesDeferredIncomeTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405406 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Summary of Uncertain Tax Position (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/IncomeTaxesSummaryOfUncertainTaxPositionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Summary of Uncertain Tax Position (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405407 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418401 - Disclosure - Alternative Energy Tax Credits - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AlternativeEnergyTaxCreditsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Alternative Energy Tax Credits - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsChangesInCarryingAmountOfGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets Components of Other Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsComponentsOfOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets Components of Other Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Debt Summary of Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/DebtSummaryOfDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Summary of Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422403 - Disclosure - Debt - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/DebtAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422404 - Disclosure - Debt Additional Information on Variable Rate Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/DebtAdditionalInformationOnVariableRateDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Additional Information on Variable Rate Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426402 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationShareBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426403 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation Summary of Restricted Stock Performance Units Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationSummaryOfRestrictedStockPerformanceUnitsActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation Summary of Restricted Stock Performance Units Activity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426404 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation Compensation Expense for Share-Based Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationCompensationExpenseForShareBasedAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation Compensation Expense for Share-Based Awards (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2426405 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Share-Based Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationUnrecognizedCompensationExpenseForShareBasedAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Share-Based Awards (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432402 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432403 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Change in Benefit Obligations and Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets Related to Pension and Postretirement Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementPlansChangeInBenefitObligationsAndChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRelatedToPensionAndPostretirementPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Change in Benefit Obligations and Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets Related to Pension and Postretirement Plans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432404 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementPlansComponentsOfNetPeriodicBenefitCostAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432405 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementPlansScheduleOfWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedToDetermineBenefitObligationsAndNetPeriodicBenefitCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432406 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Schedule of Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates for Postretirement Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementPlansScheduleOfAssumedHealthCareCostTrendRatesForPostretirementBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Schedule of Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates for Postretirement Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432407 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Schedule of Effects of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trends on Postretirement Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementPlansScheduleOfEffectsOfOnePercentagePointChangeInAssumedHealthCareCostTrendsOnPostretirementBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Schedule of Effects of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trends on Postretirement Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432408 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Schedule of Pension Plan Asset Investments and Target Allocations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementPlansScheduleOfPensionPlanAssetInvestmentsAndTargetAllocationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Schedule of Pension Plan Asset Investments and Target Allocations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432409 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Fair Value Measurements of Plan Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementPlansFairValueMeasurementsOfPlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Fair Value Measurements of Plan Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2432410 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Schedule of Estimated Benefit Payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementPlansScheduleOfEstimatedBenefitPaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Schedule of Estimated Benefit Payments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2442402 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2442403 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Impact of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income and OCI (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesImpactOfDerivativeInstrumentsOnConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeAndOciDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Impact of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income and OCI (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Share Repurchase Program (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/StockholdersEquityShareRepurchaseProgramDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Share Repurchase Program (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445403 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/StockholdersEquityChangesInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeByComponentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2445404 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/StockholdersEquityReclassificationsOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2448401 - Disclosure - Concentrations of Risk Concentrations of Risk (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ConcentrationsOfRiskConcentrationsOfRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Concentrations of Risk Concentrations of Risk (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2449402 - Disclosure - Asset Retirement Obligations Changes to Asset Retirement Obligation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AssetRetirementObligationsChangesToAssetRetirementObligationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Retirement Obligations Changes to Asset Retirement Obligation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2451401 - Disclosure - Transactions With Related Parties - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/TransactionsWithRelatedPartiesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Transactions With Related Parties - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2452402 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities Components of Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesComponentsOfAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities Components of Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2453402 - Disclosure - Other Expense, Net Components of Other (Income) Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/OtherExpenseNetComponentsOfOtherIncomeExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense, Net Components of Other (Income) Expense (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2454401 - Disclosure - U.S. Treasury Grant US Treasury Grant - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/USTreasuryGrantUsTreasuryGrantAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>U.S. Treasury Grant US Treasury Grant - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2455403 - Disclosure - Segment Information Segment Informaiton - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentInformaitonAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information Segment Informaiton - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2455404 - Disclosure - Segment Information Segment Sales to External Customers by Product Line (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentSalesToExternalCustomersByProductLineDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information Segment Sales to External Customers by Product Line (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2455405 - Disclosure - Segment Information Analysis of Operations by Reportable Segment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/SegmentInformationAnalysisOfOperationsByReportableSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information Analysis of Operations by Reportable Segment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2456402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2456403 - Disclosure - Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings Schedule of Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesIndemnificationsAndLegalProceedingsScheduleOfMinimumLeasePaymentsUnderNonCancelableOperatingLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings Schedule of Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2456404 - Disclosure - Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings Schedule of Assets Held Under Capital Lease Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesIndemnificationsAndLegalProceedingsScheduleOfAssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeaseObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings Schedule of Assets Held Under Capital Lease Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2456405 - Disclosure - Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings Schedule of Future Minimum Payments Under Capitalized Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesIndemnificationsAndLegalProceedingsScheduleOfFutureMinimumPaymentsUnderCapitalizedLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings Schedule of Future Minimum Payments Under Capitalized Leases (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2456406 - Disclosure - Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings Schedule of Purchase Commitments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesIndemnificationsAndLegalProceedingsScheduleOfPurchaseCommitmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings Schedule of Purchase Commitments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R102.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2463402 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Data - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R103.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2466401 - Disclosure - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.packagingcorp.com/role/ScheduleIiValuationAndQualifyingAccountsValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</ShortName>
    </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">Element us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_Assets had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2402403 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2402405 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2403402 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2403403 - Disclosure - Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2403404 - Disclosure - Acquisitions Acquisitions Pro Forma Financial Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2405407 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2419402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2419403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets Components of Other Intangible Assets (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2422403 - Disclosure - Debt - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '2426403 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation Summary of Restricted Stock Performance Units Activity (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2432402 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2432403 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Change in Benefit Obligations and Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets Related to Pension and Postretirement Plans (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2432404 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2432409 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Plans Fair Value Measurements of Plan Assets (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2442402 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2445402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Share Repurchase Program (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2454401 - Disclosure - U.S. Treasury Grant US Treasury Grant - Additional Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2455403 - Disclosure - Segment Information Segment Informaiton - Additional Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2455405 - Disclosure - Segment Information Analysis of Operations by Reportable Segment (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2463402 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>pkg-20131231.xml</File>
    <File>pkg-20131231.xsd</File>
    <File>pkg-20131231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>pkg-20131231_def.xml</File>
    <File>pkg-20131231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>pkg-20131231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
