Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 156,363	$ 98,859	$ 241,569	$ 148,126
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,593	4,594	9,187	9,188
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	151,770	94,265	232,382	138,938
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	13,157	5,149	(59,022)	(2,202)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $(201), $267, $140 and $505, respectively	(333)	417	216	790
Net unrealized (loss) gain on investment securities, net of tax of $(1,877), $1,249, $(863) and $2,453, respectively	(3,203)	2,136	(1,473)	4,195
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $3,614, $3,613, $7,781 and $7,254, respectively	6,520	6,280	13,929	12,422
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	16,141	13,982	(46,350)	15,205
Comprehensive income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 167,911	$ 108,247	$ 186,032	$ 154,143