Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 85,206	$ 49,267
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,594	4,594
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	80,612	44,673
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	(72,179)	(7,351)
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $341 and $238, respectively	549	373
Net unrealized gain on investment securities, net of tax of $1,012 and $1,204, respectively	1,730	2,059
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $4,167 and $3,641, respectively	7,409	6,142
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(62,491)	1,223
Comprehensive income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 18,121	$ 45,896