Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 136,882	$ (933)	$ 285,008	$ 66,528
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,593	4,594	13,781	13,782
Net income (loss) attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	132,289	(5,527)	271,227	52,746
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $420, $41, $925 and $615, respectively	658	62	1,448	962
Net unrealized (loss) gain on investment securities, net of tax of $(546), $(142), $1,908 and $(2,984), respectively	(933)	(222)	3,262	(4,667)
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $3,355, $4,347, $10,609 and $15,613, respectively	6,694	7,950	19,116	28,943
Foreign currency translations	(61,809)	19,140	(64,011)	(40,618)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(55,390)	26,930	(40,185)	(15,380)
Comprehensive income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 76,899	$ 21,403	$ 231,042	$ 37,366