Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 991,235	$ 965,661	$ 949,806	$ 938,876	$ 934,193	$ 942,822	$ 883,748	$ 750,690	$ 3,845,578	$ 3,511,453	$ 3,007,976
Operating income (loss)	154,405	176,756	170,194	147,755	139,460	135,454	96,626	130,066	649,109	501,606	524,527
Income (loss) from continuing operations	24,349	25,382	83,148	58,844	49,800	5,759	(14,720)	63,041	191,723	103,880	125,203
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	(2,870)	(1,058)	(2,026)	(337)	(275)	2,041	1,587	0	(6,291)	3,353	0
Net income (loss)	21,479	24,324	81,122	58,507	49,525	7,800	(13,133)	63,041	185,432	107,233	125,203
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated	$ 22,721	$ 24,345	$ 78,630	$ 58,125	$ 48,938	$ 7,080	$ (13,968)	$ 62,774	$ 183,821	$ 104,824	$ 123,241
Earnings (Losses) per Share—Basic:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.10	$ 0.31	$ 0.22	$ 0.19	$ 0.02	$ (0.06)	$ 0.30	$ 0.71	$ 0.41	$ 0.59
Total (loss) income income discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	0.00	(0.01)	0.00	0.00	0.01	0.01	0.00	(0.02)	0.01	0.00
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated (in dollars per share)	0.08	0.09	0.30	0.22	0.19	0.03	(0.06)	0.30	0.69	0.43	0.58
Earnings (Losses) per Share—Diluted:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	0.09	0.10	0.30	0.22	0.19	0.02	(0.06)	0.30	0.71	0.41	0.59
Total (loss) income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	0.00	(0.01)	0.00	0.00	0.01	0.01	0.00	(0.02)	0.01	0.00
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Iron Mountain Incorporated ( in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 0.09	$ 0.30	$ 0.22	$ 0.19	$ 0.03	$ (0.06)	$ 0.30	$ 0.69	$ 0.42	$ 0.58
Change in net income (loss)
Change in net income (loss) attributable to reduction in the provision for income taxes					$ 24,600
Change in other expenses attributable to reduction in debt extinguishment charges		$ 18,200
Change in revenue due to unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates					$ 5,600
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on disposition									$ 0	$ 16,838	$ 0
Goodwill and intangible asset impairmentt	$ 3,011								$ 3,011	0	$ 0
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes	$ 5,800
Australia Divestment Business [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on disposition						$ 14,000				$ 15,417