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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-02-21</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242239</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STARK MICHAEL J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <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>0</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>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001318214</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Feuille James</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TWO EMBARCADERO</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001402738</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Alain S Harrus</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</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>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001402271</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MacNaughton Bruce</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001402270</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Rip Peter D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Affiliate of Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-02-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>112363</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>70.27</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>475865</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes 1, 2, 3 and 4</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>2008-02-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>119600</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>70.11</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>595465</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Notes 1, 2, 3 and 4</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting persons (the &quot;Reporting Persons&quot;) are Crosslink Capital, Inc. (&quot;Crosslink&quot;), Crosslink Ventures IV Holdings, L.L.C. (&quot;Ventures IV Holdings&quot;), Crosslink Verwaltungs GmbH (&quot;Verwaltungs&quot;), Crossover Fund IV Management, L.L.C. (&quot;Crossover IV Management&quot;), Crossover Fund V Management, L.L.C. (&quot;Crossover V Management&quot;), Delta Growth Management, LLC (&quot;Delta Growth Management&quot;) and Ten Mile Management, LLC (&quot;Ten Mile Management&quot;), Michael J. Stark, James Feuille, Daniel John Dunn, Thomas Edward Bliska, Peter D. Rip, Alain S. Harrus, Bruce MacNaughton and Gary Hromadko.  Crosslink is an investment adviser to investment funds of which Ventures IV Holdings, Verwaltungs, Crossover IV Management, Crossover V Management, Delta Growth Management or Ten Mile Management is the general partner, manager or the holder of Class B Units, and other investment funds.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Mr. Stark is the control person of Crosslink, Verwaltungs, Delta Growth Management and Crossover V Management.  Mr. Stark, Mr. Bliska, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Feuille, Mr. Rip, Mr. Harrus and Mr. MacNaughton are the control persons of Ventures IV Holdings.  Mr. Stark, Mr. Bliska, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Feuille and Mr. MacNaughton are control persons of Crossover IV Management.  Mr. Stark and Mr. Bliska are the control persons of Ten Mile Management.  Mr. Hromadko is a member of the Issuer's board of directors and serves as the representative of the Reporting Persons.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The Reporting Persons are filing this Form 4 jointly, but not as a group, and each of them expressly disclaims membership in a group, within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These securities are held directly by investment funds to which Crosslink is investment adviser (the &quot;Funds&quot;) for the benefit of the investors in the Funds.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These securities are indirectly beneficially owned by Crosslink as the investment adviser to the Funds by Ventures IV Holdings and Verwaltungs, Crossover IV Management, Crossover V Management, Delta Growth Management or Ten Mile Management as the general partner, manager or holder of Class B Units of the Funds, and by the various control persons of those entities.  The Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael J. Stark</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Thomas Edward Bliska</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Daniel John Dunn</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James Feuille</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Alain Harrus</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Gary Hromadko</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Bruce McNaughton</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Peter D. Rip</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
