Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 48,901	$ 58,184	$ 114,034	$ 120,824
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	4,594	0	9,188
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	48,901	53,590	114,034	111,636
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	46,791	(9,520)	66,706	30,325
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $(120), $281, $235 and $264, respectively	(196)	450	383	422
Net unrealized gain on investment securities, net of tax of $758, $1,415, $1,102 and $3,443, respectively	1,291	2,409	1,876	5,863
Adjustments to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $(304) and $(777) for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.	0	0	(1,482)	(1,230)
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $3,442, $4,122, $6,956 and $7,921, respectively	6,624	6,080	13,335	12,828
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	54,510	(581)	80,818	48,208
Comprehensive income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 103,411	$ 53,009	$ 194,852	$ 159,844