Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income from continuing operations	$ 111,634	$ 72,974	$ 241,054	$ 212,471
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	20,655	(78,501)	30,173	(159,725)
Net income (loss) - Pitney Bowes Inc. (numerator for diluted EPS)	132,289	(5,527)	271,227	52,746
Less: Preference stock dividend	11	12	33	35
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic EPS)	$ 132,278	$ (5,539)	$ 271,194	$ 52,711
Weighted-average shares used in basic EPS	202,057	201,827	202,288	201,490
Effect of dilutive shares:
Preferred stock	1	2	1	2
Preference stock	342	376	346	386
Stock plans	1,569	935	1,325	712
Weighted-average shares used in diluted EPS	203,969	203,140	203,960	202,590
Basic earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.55	$ 0.36	$ 1.19	$ 1.05
Discontinued operations	$ 0.10	$ (0.39)	$ 0.15	$ (0.79)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 0.65	$ (0.03)	$ 1.34	$ 0.26
Diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.55	$ 0.36	$ 1.18	$ 1.05
Discontinued operations	$ 0.10	$ (0.39)	$ 0.15	$ (0.79)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 0.65	$ (0.03)	$ 1.33	$ 0.26
Anti-dilutive shares not used in calculating diluted weighted-average shares (in thousands):	6,009	12,503	7,394	12,886