Stockholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($) country plan	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 10,881,764	$ 10,634,118
Net Change	32,840	(95,481)
Ending balance	$ 10,942,810	10,576,675
Number of defined benefit pension plans | plan	2
Number of countries with a defined benefit pension plan | country	2
Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to Equinix
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (1,085,751)	(913,368)
Net Change	32,837	(95,480)
Ending balance	(1,052,914)	$ (1,008,848)
Foreign currency translation adjustment ("CTA") loss
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1,068,399)
Net Change	(122,537)
Ending balance	(1,190,936)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(6,590)
Net Change	64,037
Ending balance	57,447
Net investment hedge CTA gain (loss)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(9,952)
Net Change	91,358
Ending balance	81,406
Net actuarial loss on defined benefit plans
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(810)
Net Change	(21)
Ending balance	$ (831)