Stockholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($) plan country	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($) plan country	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 10,942,810	$ 10,881,764	$ 10,576,675	$ 10,634,118	$ 10,881,764	$ 10,634,118
Net Change	(365,877)	32,840	67,745	(95,481)	(333,037)	(27,736)
Ending balance	$ 10,629,594	10,942,810	10,646,472	10,576,675	$ 10,629,594	10,646,472
Number of defined benefit pension plans | plan	2				2
Number of countries with a defined benefit pension plan | country	2				2
Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to Equinix
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (1,052,914)	(1,085,751)	(1,008,848)	(913,368)	$ (1,085,751)	(913,368)
Net Change	(365,842)	32,837	67,734	(95,480)	(333,005)
Ending balance	(1,418,756)	(1,052,914)	$ (941,114)	$ (1,008,848)	(1,418,756)	$ (941,114)
Foreign currency translation adjustment ("CTA") loss
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(1,068,399)			(1,068,399)
Net Change					(862,930)
Ending balance	(1,931,329)				(1,931,329)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(6,590)			(6,590)
Net Change					84,654
Ending balance	78,064				78,064
Net investment hedge CTA gain (loss)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(9,952)			(9,952)
Net Change					445,311
Ending balance	435,359				435,359
Net actuarial loss on defined benefit plans
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ (810)			(810)
Net Change					(40)
Ending balance	$ (850)				$ (850)