v2.4.1.9
Components of Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 170,893us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross $ 164,786us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization (93,041)us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment (79,341)us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Property and equipment, net 77,852us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet 85,445us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Transportation Equipment    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 48,906us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_TransportationEquipmentMember
48,917us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_TransportationEquipmentMember
Computer Equipment And Purchased Software    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 72,602us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= mstr_ComputerEquipmentAndPurchasedSoftwareMember
66,713us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= mstr_ComputerEquipmentAndPurchasedSoftwareMember
Furniture and Fixtures    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 11,477us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember
11,647us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember
Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 28,500us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LeaseholdsAndLeaseholdImprovementsMember
29,116us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LeaseholdsAndLeaseholdImprovementsMember
Software Development    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 9,408us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember
$ 8,393us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember