Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 30, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	EQUITY RESIDENTIAL
Entity Central Index Key	0000906107
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		364,261,854
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
Entity Registrant Name	ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Entity Central Index Key	0000931182
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer