Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended						6 Months Ended						6 Months Ended								6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Preferred Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Preferred Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Cumulative Preference Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cumulative Preference Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Retained Earnings [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Retained Earnings [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Treasury Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 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	$ 9,391	$ 10,976	$ 20,993	$ 22,964
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period			110,631	(38,986)	4	4	4	4	648	659	323,338	323,338	323,338	323,338	223,847	240,584	4,744,802	4,600,217	(723,523)	(681,213)	(657,658)	(661,645)	(4,500,795)	(4,542,143)
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	(9,233)	99,623	58,273	258,293													58,273	258,293
Other comprehensive income	(12,520)	(40,552)	(42,310)	3,987
Cash dividends
Common ($0.375 per share)			(113,083)	(149,999)													(113,083)	(149,999)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(13)	(13)	(23)	(26)													(23)	(26)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued			(1,612)	(855)											31,532	(22,176)							(33,144)	21,321
Conversions to common stock			0	0					(35)	(6)					(618)	(124)							653	130
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition			7,241	8,852											7,241	8,852
Balances, end of period	22,341	81,266	22,341	81,266	4	4	4	4	613	653	323,338	323,338	323,338	323,338	198,938	227,136	4,689,969	4,708,485	(723,523)	(681,213)	(657,658)	(661,645)	(4,466,998)	(4,520,692)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(17,554)	(53,267)	(59,758)	(19,908)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	(4,719)	1,235	(4,445)	378
Other comprehensive income	$ (12,520)	$ (40,552)	$ (42,310)	$ 3,987