Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 57,358	$ 70,105	$ 171,392	$ 190,929
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	4,593	0	13,781
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	57,358	65,512	171,392	177,148
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	33,517	6,938	100,223	37,263
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $122, $(40), $361 and $224, respectively	195	(64)	579	358
Net unrealized gain on investment securities, net of tax of $220, $956, $1,322 and $4,399, respectively	375	1,628	2,251	7,491
Adjustments to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $(304) and $(777) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.	0	0	(1,482)	(1,230)
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $3,484, $3,243, $10,440 and $10,362, respectively	6,744	5,963	20,078	18,791
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	40,831	14,465	121,649	62,673
Comprehensive income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 98,189	$ 79,977	$ 293,041	$ 239,821