Consolidated Statements Of Capital (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Balance (units)	125,140,783
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	$ 234
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards	3,931
Net income	51,681
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments	(63,063)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps	(124)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,741
Balance (units)	128,413,791
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	3,498,384
Net proceeds from issuance of common units	(95)
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options	8
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards	3,931
Distributions	(110,560)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	45
Net income	51,681
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments	(63,063)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps	(124)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,741
Balance	3,381,948
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	(14,910)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments	(63,063)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps	(124)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,741
Balance	(76,356)
Noncontrolling Interests In Consolidated Joint Ventures [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	5,944
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	45
Net income	146
Balance	6,135
General Partner [Member] | Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	572,711
Balance (units)	23,736,505
Conversion of preferred units	(119,348)
Conversion of preferred units (units)	(4,936,505)
Distributions	(8,054)
Net income	8,054
Balance	453,363
Balance (units)	18,800,000
General Partner [Member] | Common Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	2,907,785
Balance (units)	125,140,783
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	234
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)	23,104
Issuance of restricted common units, net of forfeitures (units)	110,039
Net proceeds from issuance of common units	(95)
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options	8
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options (units)	250
Conversion of preferred units	119,348
Conversion of preferred units (units)	3,139,615
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards	3,931
Reclassification of vested share based awards	(8,966)
Distributions	(100,165)
Net income	42,657
Balance	2,964,737
Balance (units)	128,413,791
Limited Partner [Member] | Common Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance	26,854
Balance (units)	2,851,400
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	(234)
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)	(23,104)
Issuance of common units, net of forfeitures (units)	168,418
Reclassification of vested share based awards	8,966
Distributions	(2,341)
Net income	824
Balance	$ 34,069
Balance (units)	2,996,714