Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12355-112629

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The excess of the (1) fair value of consideration transferred to the holders of a security in excess of (2) the carrying amount of the security reported on the registrant's balance sheet, which will be deducted from net earnings to derive net earnings available to common shareholders. This amount is generally an adjustment considered in the computation of earnings per share.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RedemptionPremium
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Write-off of amounts previously capitalized as debt issuance cost in an extinguishment of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=eqix_FourPointSevenFivePercentConvertibleSubordinatedNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=eqix_FourPointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=eqix_AmendmentstoLeasesandFinancingObligationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=eqix_SettlementofFinancingObligationsforPropertyPurchasedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=eqix_TermB2LoanCommitmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=eqix_TermBLoanCommitmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt Facilities - Loss on debt Extinguishment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2009
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on debt extinguishment	$ 65,772	$ 12,276	$ 289
4.75% convertible subordinated notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Senior Notes \| 4.875% Senior Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on debt extinguishment	$ (14,600)
Interest rate (percent)	4.875%				4.875%
Redemption Premium	$ 12,200
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	2,400
Amendments to leases and financing obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on debt extinguishment	16,700
Settlement of financing obligations for property purchased
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on debt extinguishment	12,000
Convertible Subordinated Debt \| 4.75% convertible subordinated notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on debt extinguishment			$ 300
Interest rate (percent)						4.75%
Term B-2 Loan Commitments \| Revolving credit facility borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on debt extinguishment	13,200
Term B Loan Commitments \| Revolving credit facility borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on debt extinguishment	$ 9,300