Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	$ 16,932	$ 69,979
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	16,932	69,979
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(11,237)	(9,434)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	5,695	60,545
Derivative liabilities	32,080	10,959
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	32,080	10,959
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(11,237)	(9,434)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	20,843	1,525
Additional netting benefit [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(618)	(2,436)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	(618)	(2,436)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(618)	(2,436)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	(618)	(2,436)
Designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts		51,500
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet		0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts		51,500
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet		(5,125)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net		46,375
Derivative liabilities		5,340
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet		0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts		5,340
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet		(5,125)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net		215
Designated as hedging instruments [Member] \| Foreign currency forward and option contracts [Member] \| Cash flow hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts		44,570
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet		0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts		44,570
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet		(1,815)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net		42,755
Derivative liabilities	18,049	1,815
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	18,049	1,815
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(10,284)	(1,815)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	7,765	0
Designated as hedging instruments [Member] \| Foreign currency forward contracts [Member] \| Cash flow hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	10,284
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	10,284
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(10,284)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	0
Designated as hedging instruments [Member] \| Foreign currency forward contracts [Member] \| Net investment hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts		6,930
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet		0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts		6,930
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet		(3,310)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net		3,620
Derivative liabilities		3,525
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet		0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts		3,525
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet		(3,310)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net		215
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	6,648	18,479
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	6,648	18,479
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(335)	(1,873)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	6,313	16,606
Derivative liabilities	14,031	5,619
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	14,031	5,619
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(335)	(1,873)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	13,696	3,746
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] \| Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	335	8,734
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	335	8,734
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(335)	(1,873)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	0	6,861
Derivative liabilities	9,797	3,228
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	9,797	3,228
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(335)	(1,873)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	9,462	1,355
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] \| Embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	5,695	9,745
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	5,695	9,745
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	5,695	9,745
Derivative liabilities	4,096	1,525
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	4,096	1,525
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	4,096	1,525
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] \| Economic hedges of embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	618
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	618
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	618
Derivative liabilities	138	866
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	138	866
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	$ 138	$ 866

Amount of obligation to return cash collateral under master netting arrangements offset against derivative assets.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73719730&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73719730&loc=d3e13495-108611

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226008-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of obligation to return cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=d3e41678-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (d)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of right to receive cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative liabilities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (d)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=d3e41678-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after effects of master netting arrangements, of financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset offset against an obligation to return collateral. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=d3e41678-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAssetAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities elected not to be offset. Excludes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64830801&loc=SL51823488-111719

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (a),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226000-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after effects of master netting arrangements, of financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset offset against the right to receive collateral. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=d3e41678-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226008-175313

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73719730&loc=d3e13495-108611

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73719730&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of right to receive cash collateral under master netting arrangements offset against derivative liabilities.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityCollateralRightToReclaimCashOffset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=eqix_ForeignCurrencyForwardAndOptionContractsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=eqix_EconomicHedgesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: