Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) - Equinix Equity Awards [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Stock options outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	77,934	148,055	296,529
Stock options exercised (in shares)	(41,889)	(71,780)	(147,819)
Stock options canceled (in shares)	(250)		(655)
Stock options, Additional shares granted due to special distribution (in shares)	1,454	1,659
Stock options outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	37,249	77,934	148,055
Stock options vested and exercisable, outstanding	37,249
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Stock options outstanding, Weighted average exercise price per share, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 73.84	$ 73.99	$ 68.68
Stock options exercised, Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	64.18	72.44	63.66
Stock options canceled, Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	41.12		3.06
Stock options, Additional shares granted due to special distribution, Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	0.00	0.00
Stock options outstanding Weighted average exercise price per share, ending balance (in dollars per share)	82.06	$ 73.84	$ 73.99
Stock options vested and exercisable, Weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 82.06
Stock options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	1 year 8 months 20 days
Stock options vested and exercisable, Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	1 year 8 months 20 days
Stock options vested and exercisable, Aggregate intrinsic value	$ 8,208
Stock options outstanding, Aggregate intrinsic value	$ 8,208