Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
5.250% Due 2021 [Member]
Interest rate	5.25%	5.25%
Maturity date	2021	2021
5.250% Due 2021 [Member] \| Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Interest rate	5.25%	5.25%
Maturity date	2021	2021
3.625% Notes Due 2022 [Member]
Interest rate	3.625%	3.625%
Maturity date	2022	2022
3.625% Notes Due 2022 [Member] \| Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Interest rate	3.625%	3.625%
Maturity date	2022	2022

Description of the maturity date of the debt instrument including whether the debt matures serially and, if so, a brief description of the serial maturities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

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