Capital And Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 26, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 06, 2008
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Redemption value of common units		$ 170.6	$ 161.5
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Preferred stock, issued		11,500,000	11,500,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate		7.00%	7.00%
Preferred stock dividend per share amount		$ 1.750
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit		$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Preferred stock, dividend rate		7.00%	7.00%
Preferred stock dividend per share amount		$ 1.750
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit		$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Preferred stock, issued		7,300,000	7,300,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate		6.625%	6.625%
Preferred stock dividend per share amount		$ 1.656
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit		$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Preferred stock, dividend rate		6.625%	6.625%
Preferred stock dividend per share amount		$ 1.656
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit		$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Issuance date		Feb. 06, 2008
Preferred stock, issued		0	4,936,505	13,800,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate		5.50%	5.50%
Preferred stock dividend per share amount		$ 1.375
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit		$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Conversion of preferred stock (shares)	(4,802,180)
Conversion of units	4,802,180
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Issuance date		Feb. 06, 2008
Preferred stock, issued		13,800,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate		5.50%	5.50%
Preferred stock dividend per share amount		$ 1.375
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit		$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Conversion of units	3,054,186
Common Units [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Conversion of units	(3,054,186)
Common Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Conversion of units	4,802,180