Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 66,831	$ 120,811	$ 319,138	$ 382,410
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment ("CTA") gain (loss), net of tax effects of $0, $0, $0 and $(595)	299,441	(284,927)	66,935	(341,519)
Net investment hedge CTA gain (loss), net of tax effect of $0, $0, $0, and $10	(227,101)	188,897	(179,213)	227,890
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax effects of $8,708, $(5,245), $7,113 and $(7,336)	(33,842)	14,217	(54,966)	19,086
Net actuarial gain (loss) on defined benefit plans, net of tax effects of $(6), $2, $(3) and $3	22	(8)	77	(26)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	38,520	(81,821)	(167,167)	(94,569)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	105,351	38,990	151,971	287,841
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(144)	39	(355)	45
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(30)	28	(21)	35
Comprehensive income attributable to Equinix	$ 105,177	$ 39,057	$ 151,595	$ 287,921