Stockholders' Equity - Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	90,571,406
Beginning balance	$ 10,881,764	$ 10,634,118
Net income (loss)	147,693	156,074
Other comprehensive loss	32,840	(95,481)
Issuance of common stock and release of treasury stock for employee equity awards	43,876	40,034
Dividend distribution on common stock	(282,031)	(256,321)
Settlement of accrued dividends on vested equity awards	(497)	(437)
Accrued dividends on unvested equity awards	(2,045)	(3,661)
Stock-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures	$ 121,210	102,349
Ending balance (in shares)	91,013,824
Ending balance	$ 10,942,810	10,576,675
Equinix Stockholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	10,882,082	10,633,988
Net income (loss)	147,453	156,362
Other comprehensive loss	32,837	(95,480)
Issuance of common stock and release of treasury stock for employee equity awards	43,876	40,034
Dividend distribution on common stock	(282,031)	(256,321)
Settlement of accrued dividends on vested equity awards	(497)	(437)
Accrued dividends on unvested equity awards	(2,045)	(3,661)
Stock-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures	121,210	102,349
Ending balance	$ 10,942,885	$ 10,576,834
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	90,872,826	89,462,304
Beginning balance	$ 91	$ 89
Issuance of common stock and release of treasury stock for employee equity awards (in shares)	430,973	428,618
Issuance of common stock and release of treasury stock for employee equity awards	$ 0	$ 1
Ending balance (in shares)	91,303,799	89,890,922
Ending balance	$ 91	$ 90
Treasury Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	(301,420)	(328,052)
Beginning balance	$ (112,208)	$ (122,118)
Issuance of common stock and release of treasury stock for employee equity awards (in shares)	11,445	11,640
Issuance of common stock and release of treasury stock for employee equity awards	$ 4,259	$ 4,332
Ending balance (in shares)	(289,975)	(316,412)
Ending balance	$ (107,949)	$ (117,786)
Additional Paid-in Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	15,984,597	15,028,357
Issuance of common stock and release of treasury stock for employee equity awards	39,617	35,701
Stock-based compensation, net of estimated forfeitures	121,210	102,349
Ending balance	16,145,424	15,166,407
Accumulated Dividends
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(6,165,140)	(5,119,274)
Dividend distribution on common stock	(282,031)	(256,321)
Settlement of accrued dividends on vested equity awards	(497)	(437)
Accrued dividends on unvested equity awards	(2,045)	(3,661)
Ending balance	(6,449,713)	(5,379,693)
AOCI (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1,085,751)	(913,368)
Other comprehensive loss	32,837	(95,480)
Ending balance	(1,052,914)	(1,008,848)
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,260,493	1,760,302
Net income (loss)	147,453	156,362
Ending balance	2,407,946	1,916,664
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(318)	130
Net income (loss)	240	(288)
Other comprehensive loss	3	(1)
Ending balance	$ (75)	$ (159)