Stockholders' Equity - Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2020	Jan. 01, 2019
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)		(85,308,386)
Beginning balance		$ 8,840,382	$ 7,219,279
Adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard update				$ (900)	$ (5,973)
Net income		118,957	117,747
Net income		118,792	118,078
Other comprehensive loss		(272,067)	3,344
Issuance of common stock for equity offering		30,390	27,593
Issuance of common stock (in shares)	2,985,575
Issuance of common stock	$ 1,213,400	101,791	1,213,434
Dividend distribution on common stock		(227,387)	(198,933)
Settlement of accrued dividends on vested equity awards		(294)	(103)
Accrued dividends on unvested equity awards		(3,268)	(2,395)
Stock-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures		$ 81,690	50,795
Ending balance (in shares)		(85,927,060)
Ending balance	8,424,788	$ 8,669,294	8,424,788
Ending balance		8,669,364
Equinix Stockholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		8,840,606	7,219,279
Adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard update				(900)	(5,973)
Net income		118,792	118,078
Other comprehensive loss		(272,056)	3,337
Issuance of common stock for equity offering		30,390	27,593
Issuance of common stock		101,791	1,213,434
Dividend distribution on common stock		(227,387)	(198,933)
Settlement of accrued dividends on vested equity awards		(294)	(103)
Accrued dividends on unvested equity awards		(3,268)	(2,395)
Stock-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures		81,690	50,795
Ending balance	8,425,112	8,669,364	8,425,112
AOCI (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(934,613)	(945,702)
Adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard update					0
Other comprehensive loss		(272,056)	3,337
Ending balance	$ (942,365)	$ (1,206,669)	$ (942,365)
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)		(85,700,953)	(81,119,117)
Beginning balance		$ 86	$ 81
Issuance of common stock for equity offering (in shares)		405,550	360,464
Issuance of common stock for equity offering			$ 0
Issuance of common stock (in shares)		162,530	2,985,575
Issuance of common stock		$ 0	$ 3
Ending balance (in shares)	(84,465,156)	(86,269,033)	(84,465,156)
Ending balance	$ 84	$ 86	$ 84
Treasury Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)		(392,567)	(396,859)
Beginning balance		$ (144,256)	$ (145,161)
Issuance of common stock for equity offering (in shares)		50,594	1,706
Issuance of common stock for equity offering		$ 16,958	$ 360
Ending balance (in shares)	(395,153)	(341,973)	(395,153)
Ending balance	$ (144,801)	$ (127,298)	$ (144,801)
Additional Paid-in Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		12,696,433	10,751,313
Issuance of common stock for equity offering		13,432	27,233
Issuance of common stock		101,791	1,213,431
Settlement of accrued dividends on vested equity awards		109	284
Stock-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures		81,690	50,795
Ending balance	12,043,056	12,893,455	12,043,056
Accumulated Dividends
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(4,168,469)	(3,331,200)
Dividend distribution on common stock		(227,387)	(198,933)
Settlement of accrued dividends on vested equity awards		(403)	(387)
Accrued dividends on unvested equity awards		(3,268)	(2,395)
Ending balance	(3,532,915)	(4,399,527)	(3,532,915)
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		1,391,425	889,948
Adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard update				$ (900)	$ (5,973)
Net income		118,792	118,078
Ending balance	1,002,053	1,509,317	1,002,053
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(224)	0
Net income		165	(331)
Other comprehensive loss		(11)	7
Ending balance	$ (324)	$ (70)	$ (324)