Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Preferred Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Preferred Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Cumulative Preference Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cumulative Preference Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Retained Earnings [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Retained Earnings [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Treasury Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Treasury Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net (Gain) Loss Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Net of Tax	$ 12,151	$ 8,692	$ 35,115	$ 25,857
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period			(38,986)	(96,581)	4	4	4	4	659	752	323,338	323,338	323,338	323,338	240,584	250,928	4,600,217	4,282,316	(661,645)	(473,806)	(4,542,143)	(4,480,113)
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	76,533	172,767	334,826	360,006
Other comprehensive income	31,790	(98,269)	35,777	(3,625)															35,777	(3,625)
Cash dividends
Common ($0.375 per share)			(225,244)	(225,632)													(225,244)	(225,632)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(12)	(15)	38	44													(38)	(44)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued			4,832	7,197											(31,306)	(25,387)					36,138	32,584
Conversions to common stock			0	0					(6)	(28)					(124)	(621)					130	649
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition			13,466	13,393											13,466	13,393
Balances, end of period	124,633	(45,283)	124,633	(45,283)	4	4	4	4	653	724	323,338	323,338	323,338	323,338	222,620	238,313	4,709,761	4,416,646	(625,868)	(477,431)	(4,505,875)	(4,546,877)
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method				(99,997)																		(99,997)
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	19,025	(111,317)	(883)	(35,336)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	25	1,209	578	1,596
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	589	3,147	967	4,258
Other comprehensive income	31,790	(98,269)	35,777	(3,625)															35,777	(3,625)
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments, ending balance	83,069	102,185	83,069	102,185
Accumulated net unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives, ending balance	(7,860)	(8,849)	(7,860)	(8,849)
Accumulated net unrealized loss (gain) on investment securities, ending balance	5,354	5,697	5,354	5,697
Accumulated net unamortized (loss) gain on pension and postretirement plans, ending balance	(706,431)	(576,464)	(706,431)	(576,464)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), ending balance	$ (625,868)	$ (477,431)	$ (625,868)	$ (477,431)