<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001101239</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EQUINIX INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EQIX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242242</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BLISKA THOMAS EDWARD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242244</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DUNN DANIEL JOHN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001240055</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HROMADKO GARY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>301 VELOCITY WAY 5TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FOSTER CITY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94404</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242241</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JACIMOVIC VLADIMIR S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242240</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KAUFMAN SEYMOUR F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242239</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STARK MICHAEL J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-03-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>C</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2375000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2550000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-03-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>C</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>125000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>150000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series A-2 Convertible Secured Notes Due 2007</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-03-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>C</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionTotalValue>
                    <value>9500000</value>
                </transactionTotalValue>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-06-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-11-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2375000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series A-2 Convertible Secured Notes Due 2007</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-03-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>C</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionTotalValue>
                    <value>500000</value>
                </transactionTotalValue>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-06-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-11-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>125000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting persons (the &quot;Reporting Persons&quot;) are Crosslink Capital, Inc. (&quot;Crosslink&quot;), Crossover Fund III Management, L.L.C. (&quot;Crossover III Management&quot;), Crosslink Ventures IV Holdings, L.L.C. (&quot;Ventures IV Holdings&quot;), Crosslink Verwaltungs GmbH (&quot;Verwaltungs&quot;), Michael J. Stark, Seymour F. Kaufman, Vladimir S. Jacimovic, Daniel John Dunn, Thomas Edward Bliska, Gary Hromadko and Crosslink Crossover Fund III, L.P. (&quot;Crossover Fund III&quot;). Crosslink is an investment adviser to investment funds of which Crossover III Management, Ventures IV Holdings or Verwaltungs is the general partner, manager or the holder of Class B Units, including Crossover Fund III, and other investment funds. Crossover III Management is also the investment adviser to investment funds. Mr. Stark and Mr. Kaufman are control persons of Crosslink.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Mr. Stark, Mr. Kaufman, Mr. Bliska, Mr. Dunn and Mr. Jacimovic are control persons of Crossover III Management. Mr. Stark and Mr. Jacimovic are control persons of Ventures IV Holdings and Verwaltungs. The Reporting Persons purchased the Series A-2 Convertible Secured Notes Due 2007 directly from Equinix, Inc. (the &quot;Issuer&quot;) in a private placement on June 5, 2003 (the &quot;Private Placement&quot;). In connection with the Private Placement, the Issuer amended its bylaws to provide that a representative of the Reporting Persons would be nominated to serve as a director of the Issuer. Pursuant to that amendment, Mr. Hromadko became a member of the Issuer's board of directors and serves as that representative.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Crosslink, Crossover III Management, Ventures IV Holdings, Verwaltungs, Mr. Stark, Mr. Kaufman, Mr. Jacimovic, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Bliska and Mr. Hromadko are filing this Form 4 jointly as a group, but disclaim membership in a group, within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &quot;Exchange Act&quot;), with any other person. Crossover Fund III is filing this Form 4 jointly with the other Reporting Persons, but not as a member of a group, and it expressly disclaims membership in a group, within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b), with any other person. These securities are held directly by investment funds to which Crosslink or Crossover III Management is investment adviser, including Crossover Fund III, for the benefit of the investors in those funds.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These securities are indirectly beneficially owned by Crosslink or Crossover III Management as the investment adviser to each of those funds, by Crossover III Management, Ventures IV Holdings and Verwaltungs as the general partner, manager or holder of Class B Units of each of those funds, and by Mr. Stark, Mr. Kaufman, Mr. Jacimovic, Mr. Bliska and Mr. Dunn as the various control persons of those entities. The Reporting Persons, except for Crossover Fund III, disclaim beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interest therein. The filing of this Form 4 on behalf of Crossover Fund III should not be construed as an admission that it is, and it disclaims that it is, the beneficial owner as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of any of the Stock covered by this Form 4. No client account of Crosslink or Crossover III Management, other than Crossover Fund III, holds more than ten percent of the outstanding stock of the Issuer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">These securities are beneficially owned directly by Mr. Hromadko.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Thomas Edward Bliska</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Daniel John Dunn</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Gary Hromadko</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Vladimir S. Jacimovic</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Seymour F. Kaufman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael J. Stark</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

