Consolidated Statements Of Capital (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
Balance (units)		125,140,783
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units		$ 284
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred units		241,565
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards		8,615
Net income	59,621	111,302
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments	308	(62,755)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps	6,623	6,499
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,700	3,441
Balance (units)	128,421,888	128,421,888
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance		3,498,384
Net proceeds from issuance of common units		(290)
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options		50
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred units		241,565
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards		8,615
Distributions		(224,466)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures		925
Net income	59,621	111,302
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments	308	(62,755)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps	6,623	6,499
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,700	3,441
Balance	3,583,270	3,583,270
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance		(14,910)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments		(62,755)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps		6,499
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense		3,441
Balance	(67,725)	(67,725)
Noncontrolling Interests In Consolidated Joint Ventures [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance		5,944
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures		925
Net income		355
Balance	7,224	7,224
General Partner [Member] | Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance		572,711
Balance (units)		23,736,505
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred units		241,565
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred units (units)		10,000,000
Conversion of preferred units		(119,348)
Conversion of preferred units (units)		(4,936,505)
Distributions		(19,453)
Net income		19,453
Balance	694,928	694,928
Balance (units)	28,800,000	28,800,000
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		284
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)		27,289
Issuance of restricted common units, net of forfeitures (units)		112,949
Net proceeds from issuance of common units		(290)
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options		50
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options (units)		1,252
Conversion of preferred units		119,348
Conversion of preferred units (units)		3,139,615
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards		8,615
Reclassification of vested share based awards		(8,999)
Distributions		(200,334)
Net income		89,734
Balance	2,916,193	2,916,193
Balance (units)	128,421,888	128,421,888
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		(284)
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)		(27,289)
Issuance of common units, net of forfeitures (units)		172,759
Reclassification of vested share based awards		8,999
Distributions		(4,679)
Net income		1,760
Balance	$ 32,650	$ 32,650
Balance (units)	2,996,870	2,996,870