Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Other Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common stock [Member]	Treasury stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]	Accumulated deficit [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 1,182,483	$ 39		$ 1,665,662	$ (97,238)	$ (385,980)
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009		39,315,250
Net income attributable to Equinix	36,881					36,881
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Equinix	(14,780)				(14,780)
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards	39,818	1		39,817
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards, shares		1,393,026
Issuance of common stock for the Switch and Data acquisition	549,389	6		549,383
Issuance of common stock for the Switch and Data acquisition, shares		5,458,413
Stock-based compensation assumed in the Switch and Data acquisition	16,508			16,508
Stock-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures	70,216			70,216
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	1,880,515	46		2,341,586	(112,018)	(349,099)
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		46,166,689
Net income attributable to Equinix	92,610					94,004
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Equinix	(38,790)				(31,680)
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards	38,893	2		38,891
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards, shares		1,374,931
Common shares repurchased	(86,666)		(86,666)
Common shares repurchased, shares	870,421		(870,421)
Change in redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interests	(11,476)			(11,476)
Tax benefit from employee stock plans	81			81
Stock-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures	68,541			68,541
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,952,212	48	(86,666)	2,437,623	(143,698)	(255,095)
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	46,671,199	47,541,620	(870,421)
Net income attributable to Equinix	147,782					144,666
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Equinix	36,171				42,656
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards	60,828	1	1,504	59,323
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards, shares		1,598,231	15,069
Issuance of common stock upon conversions of convertible debt	12		61,850	(61,838)
Issuance of common stock upon conversions of convertible debt, shares			623,098
Common shares repurchased	(13,364)		(13,364)
Common shares repurchased, shares	131,489		(131,489)
Change in redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interests	(21,270)			(21,270)
Tax benefit from employee stock plans	84,740			84,740
Stock-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures	84,793			84,793
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 2,335,273	$ 49	$ (36,676)	$ 2,583,371	$ (101,042)	$ (110,429)
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	48,776,108	49,139,851	(363,743)