v2.4.1.9

Recent Accounting Standards - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
--- | --- | ---
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |
Unrecognized tax benefits | $ 3,460us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits | $ 2,312us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Netted against deferred tax assets |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |
Unrecognized tax benefits | $ 1,300us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits / mstr_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxis = mstr_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsOtherMember |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Unrecognized Tax Benefit -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6527854 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | mstr_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxis=mstr_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsOtherMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |