Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120520924&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

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

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120520924&loc=SL6036836-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-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=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

+ 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

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28541-108399

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28555-108399

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of cash paid for interest, excluding capitalized interest, classified as operating activity. Includes, but is not limited to, payment to settle zero-coupon bond for accreted interest of debt discount and debt instrument with insignificant coupon interest rate in relation to effective interest rate of borrowing attributable to accreted interest of debt discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121583591&loc=d3e4297-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3367-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120520924&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt, classified as current. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs of long-term debt classified as noncurrent and excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

Debt Facilities - Senior Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 22, 2020	Jan. 02, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 1,295,833		$ 1,295,833				$ 1,370,118
Total long term debt	12,437,740		12,437,740
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	115,800	$ 107,400	238,600	$ 243,600
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	11,140,175		11,140,175				9,029,211
Less amount representing unamortized debt issuance cost	(108,519)		(108,519)				(78,030)
Add amount representing unamortized debt premium	745		745				1,716
Total long term debt	11,032,401		11,032,401				8,952,897
Less current portion	(2,227,768)		(2,227,768)				(643,224)
Total	8,804,633		8,804,633				8,309,673
Senior Notes \| 5.000% Infomart Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 300,000		$ 300,000				$ 450,000
Effective interest rate	4.49%		4.49%				4.46%
Interest rate (percent)	5.00%		5.00%
Senior Notes \| 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 0		$ 0				$ 343,711
Effective interest rate	0.00%		0.00%				5.56%
Interest rate (percent)	5.375%		5.375%			5.375%
Senior Notes \| 2.625% Senior Notes due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000				$ 1,000,000
Effective interest rate	2.79%		2.79%				2.79%
Interest rate (percent)	2.625%		2.625%
Senior Notes \| 2.875% Euro Senior Notes due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 842,775		$ 842,775				$ 841,500
Effective interest rate	3.08%		3.08%				3.08%
Interest rate (percent)	2.875%		2.875%
Senior Notes \| 2.875% Euro Senior Notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 1,123,700		$ 1,123,700				$ 1,122,000
Effective interest rate	3.04%		3.04%				3.04%
Interest rate (percent)	2.875%		2.875%
Senior Notes \| 2.900% Senior Notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 600,000		$ 600,000				$ 600,000
Effective interest rate	3.04%		3.04%				3.04%
Interest rate (percent)	2.90%		2.90%
Senior Notes \| 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 1,100,000		$ 1,100,000				$ 1,100,000
Effective interest rate	6.03%		6.03%				6.03%
Interest rate (percent)	5.875%		5.875%
Senior Notes \| 2.875% Euro Senior Notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 1,123,700		$ 1,123,700				$ 1,122,000
Effective interest rate	3.04%		3.04%				3.04%
Interest rate (percent)	2.875%		2.875%
Senior Notes \| 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 1,250,000		$ 1,250,000				$ 1,250,000
Effective interest rate	5.51%		5.51%				5.51%
Interest rate (percent)	5.375%		5.375%
Senior Notes \| 3.200% Senior Notes due 2029
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 1,200,000		$ 1,200,000				$ 1,200,000
Effective interest rate	3.30%		3.30%				3.30%
Interest rate (percent)	3.20%		3.20%
Senior Notes \| 1.250% Senior Notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 500,000		$ 500,000				$ 0
Effective interest rate	1.46%		1.46%				0.00%
Interest rate (percent)					1.25%
Senior Notes \| 1.800% Senior Notes due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 500,000		$ 500,000				$ 0
Effective interest rate	1.96%		1.96%				0.00%
Interest rate (percent)					1.80%
Senior Notes \| 2.150% Senior Notes due 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 1,100,000		$ 1,100,000				$ 0
Effective interest rate	2.27%		2.27%				0.00%
Interest rate (percent)					2.15%
Senior Notes \| 3.000% Senior Notes due 2050
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 500,000		$ 500,000				$ 0
Effective interest rate	3.09%		3.09%				0.00%
Interest rate (percent)					3.00%