Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 261,340	$ 111,850	$ 426,318
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	19,045	18,375
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	261,340	92,805	407,943
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	106,391	(4,464)	(88,137)
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $678, $1,513, and $484, respectively	1,079	2,427	777
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities, net of tax of $944, $(244) and $(1,427), respectively	1,477	(416)	(2,430)
Adjustments to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $3,089, $(17,550) and $13,844, respectively	12,185	(73,141)	19,146
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $13,936, $14,430, and $15,966, respectively	26,828	24,096	28,165
Other comprehensive income (loss)	147,960	(51,498)	(42,479)
Comprehensive income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 409,300	$ 41,307	$ 365,464