Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Capital (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	$ 2,284
Net proceeds from issuance of common units	62,712
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards	4,137
Net income	49,263
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments	19,303
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps	(945)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	1,104
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	2,580,411
Net proceeds from issuance of common units	62,712
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options	1,298
Preferred unit offering costs	(120)
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards	4,137
Distributions	(90,749)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	6,570
Net income	49,263
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments	19,303
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps	(945)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	1,104
Balance	2,632,984
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	(60,067)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments	19,303
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps	(945)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	1,104
Balance	(40,605)
Noncontrolling Interests In Consolidated Joint Ventures [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	12,437
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	6,570
Net income	(365)
Balance	18,642
General Partner [Member] | Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	569,781
Balance (units)	23,603,419
Preferred unit offering costs	(120)
Conversion of preferred units	(4)
Conversion of preferred units (units)	(150)
Distributions	(8,831)
Net income	8,831
Balance	569,657
Balance (units)	23,603,269
General Partner [Member] | Common Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	2,009,016
Balance (units)	106,039,279
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	2,284
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)	221,716
Issuance of restricted common units, net of forfeitures (units)	91,397
Net proceeds from issuance of common units	62,712
Net proceeds from issuance of common units (units)	956,818
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options	1,298
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options (units)	32,758
Conversion of preferred units	4
Conversion of preferred units (units)	81
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards	4,137
Reclassification of vested share based awards	(8,106)
Distributions	(78,335)
Net income	39,211
Balance	2,032,221
Balance (units)	107,342,049
Limited Partner [Member] | Common Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	49,244
Balance (units)	4,936,130
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	(2,284)
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)	(221,716)
Issuance of common units, net of forfeitures (units)	159,220
Reclassification of vested share based awards	8,106
Distributions	(3,583)
Net income	1,586
Balance	$ 53,069
Balance (units)	4,873,634