Amount, after tax, of accumulated gain (loss) on derivative instrument designated and qualifying as cash flow hedge included in assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Name:	us-gaap_AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 22
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226052-175313

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123594938&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123594938&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 22
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226052-175313

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after tax and reclassification, of gain (loss) from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as cash flow hedge included in assessment of hedge effectiveness.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124509347&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124509347&loc=SL7669646-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after tax, of cumulative translation adjustment attributable to gain (loss) on foreign currency derivatives that are designated as, and are effective as, economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118261656&loc=d3e32211-110900

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentForNetInvestmentHedgeNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of derivative instruments, including options, swaps, futures, and forward contracts, held at each balance sheet date, that was included in earnings for the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=irm_AccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=irm_August2023CrossCurrencySwapAgreementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=irm_February2026CrossCurrencySwapAgreementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Net Investment Hedges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Change in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments			$ 52,380	$ (39,947)	$ (8,783)
Other Assets
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative asset	$ 19,443		11,021
Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative liability			(2,082)
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative liability			(6,262)	(49,703)
Net Investment Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Cumulative net losses	15,653		10,357
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Cumulative net gain in AOCI	3,790		(7,680)
Interest Rate Swap Agreements \| Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative liability			(7,680)	(21,062)
Derivative asset	3,790
Interest Rate Swap Agreements \| Designated Hedging Instruments
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Change in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments			13,382	(12,288)	(7,801)
Interest Rate Swap Agreements \| Designated Hedging Instruments \| Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Change in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	11,470	$ 4,201
August 2023 Cross Currency Swap Agreements \| Net Investment Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative liability			(664)	(8,229)
Derivative asset	219
August 2023 Cross Currency Swap Agreements \| Designated Hedging Instruments \| Net Investment Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Unrealized gains (losses) associated with cross-currency swaps	883	4,751	7,565	(7,247)	(982)
February 2026 Cross Currency Swap Agreements \| Net Investment Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative liability				(20,412)
Derivative asset	15,434		11,021
February 2026 Cross Currency Swap Agreements \| Designated Hedging Instruments \| Net Investment Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Unrealized gains (losses) associated with cross-currency swaps	$ 4,413	$ 6,254	$ 31,433	$ (20,412)	$ 0