Equity Method Investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 17, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Contract assets, current	$ 33,614,000		$ 33,614,000		$ 13,534,000
Finance lease right-of-use assets	1,912,014,000		1,912,014,000		1,688,032,000
Finance lease liability	2,148,326,000		2,148,326,000
EMEA 1 Joint Venture with GIC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity contributions to joint venture	7,100,000		7,100,000
EMEA 1 Joint Venture with GIC | Joint Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, related party	6,000,000.0		6,000,000.0		6,500,000
Revenue, related party	13,200,000	$ 4,000,000.0	18,800,000	$ 8,500,000
Other commitment	22,600,000		22,600,000
Contract assets, current	18,500,000		18,500,000
EMEA 1 Joint Venture with GIC | Equity Contribution Commitment
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity contribution commitment	25,100,000		25,100,000
EMEA 1 Joint Venture with GIC | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Joint Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, asset	15,600,000		$ 15,600,000		44,200,000
EMEA 1 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	4,200,000	$ 3,500,000	$ 8,700,000	$ 6,900,000
Finance lease right-of-use assets	126,000,000.0		126,000,000.0		127,200,000
Finance lease liability	130,900,000		130,900,000		130,800,000
EMEA 1 Joint Venture with GIC | Frankfurt 2 Data Center Site, Land | Joint Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Lease not yet commenced, liability	16,900,000		16,900,000
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		11,200,000
Ownership percentage						20.00%
Initial fair value of equity method investment						$ 42,600,000
Accounts receivable, related party	16,700,000		16,700,000
Revenue, related party	12,200,000		14,400,000
Maximum exposure to loss	72,400,000		72,400,000
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	$ 6,800,000		$ 6,800,000
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