Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 93,876	$ 136,882	$ 335,445	$ 285,008
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,594	4,593	13,781	13,781
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	89,282	132,289	321,664	271,227
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	(17,131)	(61,809)	(76,153)	(64,011)
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $79, $420, $219 and $925, respectively	119	658	335	1,448
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities, net of tax of $721, $(546), $(142) and $1,908, respectively	1,231	(933)	(242)	3,262
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $4,219, $3,355, $12,001 and $10,609, respectively	7,435	6,694	21,364	19,116
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(8,346)	(55,390)	(54,696)	(40,185)
Comprehensive income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 80,936	$ 76,899	$ 266,968	$ 231,042