Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 65,133	$ 62,640
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	4,594
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	65,133	58,046
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	19,915	39,849
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $353 and $(18), respectively	576	(28)
Net unrealized gain on investment securities, net of tax of $344 and $2,029, respectively	585	3,454
Adjustments to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $(304) and $(777), respectively	(1,482)	(1,230)
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $3,517 and $3,799, respectively	6,708	6,748
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	26,302	48,793
Comprehensive income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 91,435	$ 106,839