Income Per Unit (Summary Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Net income available to common unitholders	$ 39,211	$ 30,980
Weighted average units outstanding-basic	107,099,856	91,428,355
Stock options	205,830	202,038
Class C Units (2007 Grant)	16,358	92,795
Unvested incentive units	262,812	153,066
Excess exchange value of the 2026 Debentures		723,961
Weighted average units outstanding-diluted	107,584,856	92,600,215
Basic	$ 0.37	$ 0.34
Diluted	$ 0.36	$ 0.33
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Net income available to common unitholders	$ 40,797	$ 32,632
Weighted average units outstanding-basic	111,432,822	96,302,608
Stock options	205,830	202,038
Class C Units (2007 Grant)	16,358	92,795
Unvested incentive units	262,812	153,066
Excess exchange value of the 2026 Debentures		723,961
Weighted average units outstanding-diluted	111,917,822	97,474,468
Basic	$ 0.37	$ 0.34
Diluted	$ 0.36	$ 0.33