Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,031,187	$ 938,786	$ 970,416	$ 929,012	$ 1,015,516	$ 949,789	$ 974,658	$ 975,101	$ 3,869,401	$ 3,915,064	$ 4,125,341
Cost and expenses	919,437	846,145	857,167	843,475	889,663	826,659	832,413	832,017	3,466,224	3,380,752	3,633,855
Income from continuing operations	111,750	92,641	113,249	85,537	125,853	123,130	142,245	143,084	403,177	534,312	491,486
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	27,539	11,370	25,391	18,769	35,144	30,590	45,705	8,813	83,069	120,252	35,518
Income from continuing operations	84,211	81,271	87,858	66,768	90,709	92,540	96,540	134,271	320,108	414,060	455,968
Net income before attribution of noncontrolling interests	94,682	(933)	(4,639)	72,100	114,931	81,127	104,217	163,264	161,210	463,539	635,855
Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) Preferred Unit Holders, Redeemable	4,593	4,594	4,594	4,594	4,594	4,594	4,594	4,594	18,375	18,376	18,375
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations	79,618	76,677	83,264	62,174	86,115	87,946	91,946	129,677	301,733	395,684	437,593
Loss (gain) from discontinued operations	10,471	(82,204)	(92,497)	5,332	24,222	(11,413)	7,677	28,993	(158,898)	49,479	179,887
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 90,089	$ (5,527)	$ (9,233)	$ 67,506	$ 110,337	$ 76,533	$ 99,623	$ 158,670	$ 142,835	$ 445,163	$ 617,480
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Continuing operations	$ 0.39	$ 0.38	$ 0.41	$ 0.31	$ 0.43	$ 0.44	$ 0.46	$ 0.65	$ 1.50	$ 1.97	$ 2.17
Discontinued operations	$ 0.05	$ (0.41)	$ (0.46)	$ 0.03	$ 0.12	$ (0.06)	$ 0.04	$ 0.14	$ (0.79)	$ 0.25	$ 0.89
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 0.45	$ (0.03)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.34	$ 0.55	$ 0.38	$ 0.50	$ 0.79	$ 0.71	$ 2.22	$ 3.06
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations	$ 0.39	$ 0.38	$ 0.41	$ 0.31	$ 0.43	$ 0.44	$ 0.46	$ 0.65	$ 1.49	$ 1.96	$ 2.16
Discontinued operations	$ 0.05	$ (0.40)	$ (0.46)	$ 0.03	$ 0.12	$ (0.06)	$ 0.04	$ 0.14	$ (0.78)	$ 0.25	$ 0.89
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 0.44	$ (0.03)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.33	$ 0.55	$ 0.38	$ 0.50	$ 0.79	$ 0.70	$ 2.21	$ 3.05