Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 370,074	$ 507,245	$ 365,359
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment ("CTA") gain (loss), net of tax effects of $—, $(51) and $4,419	548,560	(58,334)	(421,743)
Net investment hedge CTA gain (loss), net of tax effects of $—, $10 and $1,358	(444,553)	73,294	219,628
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax effects of $14,521, $2,938 and $(14,557)	(82,790)	(3,842)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax effects of $14,521, $2,938 and $(14,557)			43,671
Net actuarial gain (loss) on defined benefit plans, net of tax effects of $(23), $(9) and $(15)	85	(48)	55
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	21,302	11,070	(158,389)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	391,376	518,315	206,970
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(297)	205	0
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(57)	19	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Equinix	$ 391,022	$ 518,539	$ 206,970