Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts and other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,362	$ 2,436
Preferred Stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common Stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, authorized	165,000,000	165,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	123,261,390	106,039,279
Common Stock, shares outstanding	123,261,390	106,039,279
Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	4.375%	4.375%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	0	128,159
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	0	5,126,364
Preferred Stock, outstanding	0	5,126,364
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	5.50%	5.50%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	127,447	174,426
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	5,097,898	6,977,055
Preferred Stock, outstanding	5,097,898	6,977,055
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	7.00%	7.00%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	287,500	287,500
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	11,500,000	11,500,000
Preferred Stock, outstanding	11,500,000	11,500,000
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	6.625%	6.625%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	182,500	0
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	7,300,000	0
Preferred Stock, outstanding	7,300,000	0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Accounts and other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	2,362	2,436
Common Units, issued	123,261,390	106,039,279
Common Units, outstanding	123,261,390	106,039,279
Limited Partners, common units	3,131,814	3,405,814
Limited Partners, profits interest units	1,075,028	1,054,473
Limited Partners, Class C units outstanding	419,226	475,843
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	4.375%	4.375%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	0	128,159
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Preferred Units, issued	0	5,126,364
Preferred Units, outstanding	0	5,126,364
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	5.50%	5.50%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	127,447	174,426
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Preferred Units, issued	5,097,898	6,977,055
Preferred Units, outstanding	5,097,898	6,977,055
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	7.00%	7.00%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	287,500	287,500
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Preferred Units, issued	11,500,000	11,500,000
Preferred Units, outstanding	11,500,000	11,500,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	6.625%	6.625%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	$ 182,500	$ 0
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Preferred Units, issued	7,300,000	0
Preferred Units, outstanding	7,300,000	0