Income per Unit (Summary of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Net income available to common unitholders	$ 31,990	$ 9,091	$ 62,970	$ 23,835
Weighted average units outstanding-basic	96,295,585	80,542,329	93,875,415	79,164,167
Stock options	203,078	225,931	193,985	206,803
Class C Units (2007 Grant)	73,855	154,229	67,856	142,747
Unvested incentive units	180,377	179,267	152,927	155,504
Excess exchange value of the 2026 Debentures	758,916	1,920,061	722,782	1,781,415
Weighted average units outstanding-diluted	97,511,811	83,021,817	95,012,965	81,450,636
Basic	$ 0.33	$ 0.11	$ 0.67	$ 0.30
Diluted	$ 0.33	$ 0.11	$ 0.66	$ 0.29
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Net income available to common unitholders	$ 33,572	$ 9,651	$ 66,204	$ 25,368
Weighted average units outstanding-basic	101,056,387	86,149,647	98,698,968	84,699,431
Stock options	203,078	225,931	193,985	206,803
Class C Units (2007 Grant)	73,855	154,229	67,856	142,747
Unvested incentive units	180,377	179,267	152,927	155,504
Excess exchange value of the 2026 Debentures	758,916	1,920,061	722,782	1,781,415
Weighted average units outstanding-diluted	102,272,613	88,629,135	99,836,518	86,985,900
Basic	$ 0.33	$ 0.11	$ 0.67	$ 0.30
Diluted	$ 0.33	$ 0.11	$ 0.66	$ 0.29

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945512&loc=d3e4984-109258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920599&loc=d3e1252-109256

+ Details

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6528421

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details