Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income from continuing operations	$ 87,548	$ 80,021	$ 129,420	$ 139,497
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	6,717	(89,254)	9,518	(81,224)
Net income (loss) - Pitney Bowes Inc. (numerator for diluted EPS)	94,265	(9,233)	138,938	58,273
Less: Preference stock dividend	(11)	(13)	(22)	(23)
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic EPS)	$ 94,254	$ (9,246)	$ 138,916	$ 58,250
Denominator (in thousands):
Weighted-average shares used in basic EPS	202,662	201,567	202,480	201,342
Effect of dilutive shares:
Preferred stock	1	2	1	2
Preference stock	344	387	348	390
Stock plans	1,463	847	1,272	646
Weighted-average shares used in diluted EPS	204,470	202,803	204,101	202,380
Basic earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.43	$ 0.40	$ 0.64	$ 0.69
Discontinued operations	$ 0.03	$ (0.44)	$ 0.05	$ (0.40)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 0.47	$ (0.05)	$ 0.69	$ 0.29
Diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.43	$ 0.39	$ 0.63	$ 0.69
Discontinued operations	$ 0.03	$ (0.44)	$ 0.05	$ (0.40)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 0.46	$ (0.05)	$ 0.68	$ 0.29
Anti-dilutive shares not used in calculating diluted weighted-average shares (in thousands):	6,062	12,673	7,943	12,881