Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Preferred Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Cumulative Preference Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Retained Earnings [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Treasury Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period	$ (38,986)		$ 4	$ 4	$ 659	$ 323,338	$ 323,338	$ 240,584	$ 4,600,217	$ (661,645)	$ (4,542,143)
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	158,670	86,304							158,670
Other comprehensive income	44,539	59,310								44,539
Cash dividends
Common ($0.375 per share)	(74,925)								(74,925)
Preference	(13)	(15)							(13)
Issuances of common stock	(2,579)							(18,931)			16,352
Conversions to common stock					(6)			(121)			127
Stock-based compensation expense	4,337							4,337
Balances, end of period	91,043		4	4	653	323,338	323,338	225,869	4,683,949	(617,106)	(4,525,664)
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.375
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments, beginning balance	83,952	137,521
Accumulated net unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives, beginning balance	(8,438)	(10,445)
Accumulated net unrealized loss (gain) on investment securities, beginning balance	4,387	1,439
Accumulated net unamortized (loss) gain on pension and postretirement plans, beginning balance	(741,546)	(602,321)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), beginning balance	(661,645)	(473,806)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	33,359	50,817
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	49	(51)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	(857)	(125)
Net unamortized (loss) gain on pension and postretirement plans	11,988	8,669
Other comprehensive income	44,539	59,310								44,539
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments, ending balance	117,311	188,338
Accumulated net unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives, ending balance	(8,389)	(10,496)
Accumulated net unrealized loss (gain) on investment securities, ending balance	3,530	1,314
Accumulated net unamortized (loss) gain on pension and postretirement plans, ending balance	(729,558)	(593,652)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), ending balance	$ (617,106)	$ (414,496)