Capital And Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Schedule Of Distributions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Date dividend/distribution declared	Feb. 12, 2013
Dividend/Distribution payable date	Mar. 29, 2013
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Date dividend/distribution declared	Feb. 12, 2013
Dividend/Distribution payable date	Mar. 29, 2013
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount	$ 1.375
Preferred stock, dividend rate	5.50%		5.50%
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount	$ 1.375
Preferred stock, dividend rate	5.50%		5.50%
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units	$ 5,031	[1]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount	$ 1.750
Preferred stock, dividend rate	7.00%		7.00%
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units	5,031	[1]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount	$ 1.750
Preferred stock, dividend rate	7.00%		7.00%
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units	3,023	[2]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount	$ 1.656
Preferred stock, dividend rate	6.625%		6.625%
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units	3,023	[2]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount	$ 1.656
Preferred stock, dividend rate	6.625%		6.625%
Common Stock [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units	100,165	[3]
Common Units, annual rate of distribution per unit	$ 3.120
Common Stock [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units	$ 102,506	[3]
Common Units, annual rate of distribution per unit	$ 3.120

[1] $1.750 annual rate of dividend per share.

[2] $1.656 annual rate of dividend per share.

[3] $3.120 annual rate of dividend per share.