Consolidated Statements Of Capital (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Balance (units)		125,140,783
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units		$ 452
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred units		241,511
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards		12,580
Net income	153,480	264,782
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments	56,565	(6,190)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps	(3,324)	3,175
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,508	4,949
Balance (units)	128,438,970	128,438,970
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance		3,498,384
Net proceeds from issuance of common units		(553)
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options		230
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred units		241,511
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards		12,580
Distributions		(338,698)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures		399
Net income	153,480	264,782
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments	56,565	(6,190)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps	(3,324)	3,175
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,508	4,949
Balance	3,680,569	3,680,569
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance		(14,910)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - foreign currency translation adjustments		(6,190)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - fair value of interest rate swaps		3,175
Other comprehensive income - reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense		4,949
Balance	(12,976)	(12,976)
Noncontrolling Interests In Consolidated Joint Ventures [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Balance		5,944
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures		399
Net income		480
Balance	6,823	6,823
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		241,511
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		(31,179)
Net income		31,179
Balance	694,874	694,874
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		452
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)		42,128
Issuance of restricted common units, net of forfeitures (units)		110,875
Net proceeds from issuance of common units		(553)
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options		230
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options (units)		5,569
Conversion of preferred units		119,348
Conversion of preferred units (units)		3,139,615
Amortization of unearned compensation regarding share based awards		12,580
Reclassification of vested share based awards		(8,999)
Distributions		(300,514)
Net income		228,606
Balance	2,958,935	2,958,935
Balance (units)	128,438,970	128,438,970
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		(452)
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)		(42,128)
Issuance of common units, net of forfeitures (units)		172,759
Reclassification of vested share based awards		8,999
Distributions		(7,005)
Net income		4,517
Balance	$ 32,913	$ 32,913
Balance (units)	2,982,031	2,982,031