Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Numerator—basic:
Net income (loss) attributable to Switch, Inc.—basic	$ 4,048	$ 2,947	$ 1,189	$ 733	$ 2,554	$ 6	$ 821	$ 671	$ 8,917	$ 4,052	$ (15,208)
Numerator—diluted:
Shares of Class B and Class C common stock									17,339	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Switch, Inc.—diluted									$ 26,256	$ 4,052	$ (15,208)
Denominator—basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic (in shares)									76,501	45,682	8,074
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.04	$ 0.02	$ 0.01	$ 0.05	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.12	$ 0.09	$ (1.88)
Denominator—diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic (in shares)									76,501	45,682	8,074
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Shares of Class B common stock and Class C common stock (in shares)									168,252	0	0
Weighted average shares/units outstanding-diluted (in shares)									246,329	45,753	8,074
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.02	$ 0.01	$ 0.05	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.11	$ 0.09	$ (1.88)
Stock options
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities (in shares)									712	50	0
RSUs
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities (in shares)									805	6	0
DEUs
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities (in shares)									24	8	0
RSAs
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities (in shares)									35	7	0