Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Registrant Name	PITNEY BOWES INC /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000078814
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		200,638,510