Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 62,640	$ 85,206
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,594	4,594
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	58,046	80,612
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	39,849	(72,179)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $(18), and $341, respectively	(28)	549
Net unrealized gain on investment securities, net of tax of $2,029 and $1,012, respectively	3,454	1,730
Adjustments to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $(777) and $0, respectively	(1,230)	0
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $3,799, and $4,167, respectively	6,748	7,409
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	48,793	(62,491)
Comprehensive income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 106,839	$ 18,121