Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 499,728	$ 370,074	$ 507,245
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	463	(297)	205
Net income attributable to Equinix	$ 500,191	$ 369,777	$ 507,450
Weighted-average shares used to calculate basic EPS (in shares)	89,772	87,700	84,140
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee equity awards (in shares)	637	710	539
Weighted-average shares used to calculate diluted EPS (in shares)	90,409	88,410	84,679
Basic EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 5.57	$ 4.22	$ 6.03
Diluted EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 5.53	$ 4.18	$ 5.99