Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 120,811	$ 124,825	$ 382,410	$ 255,337
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment (CTA) loss, net of tax effects of $0, $(942), $(595) and $5,043	(284,927)	(77,566)	(341,519)	(352,948)
Net investment hedge CTA gain, net of tax effect of $0, $0, $10 and $1,637	188,897	27,214	227,890	180,694
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax effects of $(5,245), $(2,061), $(7,336) and $(12,459)	14,217		19,086
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax effects of $(5,245), $(2,061), $(7,336) and $(12,459)		6,184		37,384
Net actuarial gain (loss) on defined benefit plans, net of tax effects of $2, $(4), $3 and $(14)	(8)	14	(26)	35
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(81,821)	(44,154)	(94,569)	(134,835)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	38,990	80,671	287,841	120,502
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	39	0	45	0
Other comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests	28	0	35	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Equinix	$ 39,057	$ 80,671	$ 287,921	$ 120,502