Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended								9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Preferred stock	Dec. 31, 2012 Preferred stock	Sep. 30, 2012 Preferred stock	Dec. 31, 2011 Preferred stock	Sep. 30, 2013 Preference stock	Sep. 30, 2012 Preference stock	Sep. 30, 2013 Common stock	Dec. 31, 2012 Common stock	Sep. 30, 2012 Common stock	Dec. 31, 2011 Common stock	Sep. 30, 2013 Additional paid-in capital	Sep. 30, 2012 Additional paid-in capital	Sep. 30, 2013 Retained earnings	Sep. 30, 2012 Retained earnings	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated other comprehensive income loss	Dec. 31, 2012 Accumulated other comprehensive income loss	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated other comprehensive income loss	Dec. 31, 2011 Accumulated other comprehensive income loss	Sep. 30, 2013 Treasury stock	Sep. 30, 2012 Treasury stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period			$ 110,631	$ (38,986)	$ 4	$ 4	$ 4	$ 4	$ 648	$ 659	$ 323,338	$ 323,338	$ 323,338	$ 323,338	$ 223,847	$ 240,584	$ 4,744,802	$ 4,600,217	$ (696,593)	$ (681,213)	$ (625,868)	$ (661,645)	$ (4,500,795)	$ (4,542,143)
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	(5,527)	76,533	52,746	334,826													52,746	334,826
Other comprehensive income	26,930	31,790	(15,380)	35,777
Cash dividends
Common			(150,920)	(225,244)													(150,920)	(225,244)
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid			$ 0.75	$ 1.125
Preferrence	(12)	(12)	(35)	(38)													(35)	(38)
Issuances of common stock			2,134	4,832											(33,412)	(31,306)							35,546	36,138
Conversions to common stock			0	0					(40)	(6)					(853)	(124)							893	130
Stock-based compensation expnse			12,061	13,466											12,061	13,466
Balances, end of period	11,237	124,633	11,237	124,633	4	4	4	4	608	653	323,338	323,338	323,338	323,338	201,643	222,620	4,646,593	4,709,761	(696,593)	(681,213)	(625,868)	(661,645)	(4,464,356)	(4,505,875)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	19,140	19,025	(40,618)	(883)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	(222)	589	(4,667)	967
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	7,950	12,151	28,943	35,115
Other comprehensive income	$ 26,930	$ 31,790	$ (15,380)	$ 35,777