Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 58,184	$ 156,363	$ 120,824	$ 241,569
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,594	4,593	9,188	9,187
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	53,590	151,770	111,636	232,382
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	(9,520)	13,157	30,325	(59,022)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $281, $(201), $264 and $140, respectively	450	(333)	422	216
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities, net of tax of $1,415, $(1,877), $3,443 and $(863), respectively	2,409	(3,203)	5,863	(1,473)
Adjustments to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $(777) for the six months ended June 30, 2016	0	0	(1,230)	0
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $4,122, $3,614, $7,921 and $7,781, respectively	6,080	6,520	12,828	13,929
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(581)	16,141	48,208	(46,350)
Comprehensive income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 53,009	$ 167,911	$ 159,844	$ 186,032