Equity Method Investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 17, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Contract assets, current	$ 29,671,000		$ 13,534,000
Finance lease right-of-use assets	1,816,380,000		1,688,032,000
Finance lease liability	2,061,895,000
EMEA Joint Venture with GIC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity contributions to joint venture	7,100,000
EMEA Joint Venture with GIC | Joint Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Contract assets, current	17,100,000
Other commitment	22,400,000
Accounts receivable, related party	7,700,000		6,500,000
Revenue, related party	7,200,000	$ 4,600,000
EMEA Joint Venture with GIC | Equity Contribution Commitment
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity contribution commitment	24,900,000
EMEA Joint Venture with GIC | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Joint Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, asset	$ 42,400,000		44,200,000
EMEA Joint Venture with GIC | Sublease, Equinix's London 10-2 Data Center | Joint Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Sublease, lease term (in years)	15 years
Rent expense	$ 4,500,000	$ 3,400,000
Finance lease right-of-use assets	128,200,000		127,200,000
Finance lease liability	132,500,000		130,800,000
EMEA Joint Venture with GIC | Frankfurt 2 Data Center Site, Land | Joint Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Lease not yet commenced, liability	17,200,000
Asia-Pacific Joint Venture with GIC | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity contributions to joint venture	11,200,000
Ownership percentage				20.00%
Initial fair value of equity method investment				$ 42,600,000
Receivables from Asia-Pacific Joint Venture	14,200,000
Maximum exposure to loss	72,300,000
Asia-Pacific Joint Venture with GIC | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary | Equity Contribution Commitment
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity contribution commitment	$ 7,800,000
Asia-Pacific Joint Venture with GIC | Joint Venture Credit Facility Agreement | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Secured debt			$ 305,200,000