Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended							3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Preferred Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Preferred Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Cumulative Preference Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Cumulative Preference Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Cumulative Preference Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Retained Earnings [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Retained Earnings [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Treasury Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 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	$ 10,631	$ 11,988
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period	110,631	(38,986)	4	4	4	4	659	648	648	323,338	323,338	323,338	323,338	223,847	240,584	4,744,802	4,600,217	(681,213)	(661,645)	(4,500,795)	(4,542,143)
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	67,506	158,670														67,506	158,670
Other comprehensive income	(30,761)	44,539																(30,761)	44,539
Cash dividends
Common ($0.375 per share)	(75,334)	(74,925)														(75,334)	(74,925)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(13)	(13)														(13)	(13)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued	(2,546)	(2,579)												(24,097)	(18,931)					21,551	16,352
Conversions to common stock		0					(6)								(121)						127
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	3,704	4,337												3,704	4,337
Balances, end of period	73,187	91,043	4	4	4	4	653	648	648	323,338	323,338	323,338	323,338	203,454	225,869	4,736,961	4,683,949	(711,974)	(617,106)	(4,479,244)	(4,525,664)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(42,204)	33,359
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	274	(857)
Other comprehensive income	$ (30,761)	$ 44,539																$ (30,761)	$ 44,539