The decision will keep it out of international competition for an indefinite period - possibly including next year's Olympics in Brazil.
The suspension was approved by a 22-1 vote during a teleconference of the 27-member council of the IAAF.
IAAF President Sebastian Coe called the meeting after Russia was accused of widespread, systematic doping in a report released Monday by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) commission.
Lord Coe was under heavy pressure to take firm action, despite efforts by Russian officials to avoid a ban by agreeing to cooperate and reform their anti-doping system.
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The suspension will take effect immediately, barring Russian athletes from all international track and field events until the country can prove it has put its house in order.
It is the first time the International Association of Athletics Federations has ever banned a country over doping.
The Russian federation is likely to be given a month or so before appearing at a disciplinary hearing, at which the IAAF could then elevate the sanction to a full suspension.
The IAAF and WADA will need to spell out what the Russians need to do to get the suspension lifted, including complying fully with the global anti-doping code.
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With the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro nine months away, the big question is whether Russia's track team will be allowed to take part in the games, which run from 5-21 August.
Speaking before the IAAF vote, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said he was "completely sure" the country would be able to compete at the Olympics as he believed any suspension would be short.
"We may miss one or two competitions, but for athletes with clean consciences to miss the Olympics or a world championships would be real stupidity," he said.
In the short term, the suspension will keep Russian out of a dozen or so international events the rest of this year, including the European cross-country championships in France on 13 December.
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The athletes could then miss the indoor season, including the world indoor championships in Portland, Oregon, next March.
Other big events that Russian runners could be ineligible for include the Boston and London Marathons in April.
Russia also faces being stripped of the hosting rights of three IAAF events including the world junior championships in Kazan next July.
As the ban only covers international competition, Russian athletes will still be allowed to compete in their own national events
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