Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 68,487	$ 156,074	$ 133,350	$ 118,957	$ 224,561	$ 252,307
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(148)		(46)		140	(211)
Net income attributable to Equinix	$ 68,339		$ 133,304		$ 224,701	$ 252,096
Weighted-average shares used to calculate basic EPS (in shares)	89,648		87,303		89,490	86,427
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee equity awards (in shares)	456		598		534	638
Weighted-average shares used to calculate diluted EPS (in shares)	90,104		87,901		90,024	87,065
Basic EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 0.76		$ 1.53		$ 2.51	$ 2.92
Diluted EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 0.76		$ 1.52		$ 2.50	$ 2.90