Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 31, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-03579
Entity Registrant Name	PITNEY BOWES INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	06-0495050
Entity Address, Address Line One	3001 Summer Street,
Entity Address, City or Town	Stamford,
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06926
City Area Code	(203)
Local Phone Number	356-5000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1 par value per share
Trading Symbol	PBI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		170,848,234
Entity Central Index Key	0000078814
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false