Supplemental Financial Statement Information (Supplemental Cash Flow Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Purchases of property and equipment in Accounts payable	$ 16,098	$ 1,301	$ 4,293

Purchases Of Property, Plant And Equipment In Accounts Payable

No definition available.

Name:	pbi_PurchasesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentInAccountsPayable
Namespace Prefix:	pbi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration