Debt of the Operating Partnership (Summary of Outstanding Indebtedness) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015 extension		Apr. 24, 2015	Apr. 23, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	$ 2,672,472				$ 2,791,758
Senior Notes: | 4.50% notes due 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	4.50%
Senior Notes: | 5.875% notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	5.875%
Senior Notes: | 5.25% notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	5.25%
Senior Notes: | 3.625% notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	3.625%
Senior Notes: | 4.75% notes due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	4.75%
Senior Notes: | 4.25% notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	4.25%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	4,832,153
Unamortized discounts	(14,788)
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	2,672,472				2,791,758
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | GBP
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Exchange rate	1.48				1.56
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Global revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	Nov. 03, 2017
Balance as of March 31, 2015	826,906	[1],[2]			525,951	[1],[2]
Subtotal	826,906	[3]
Unamortized discounts	0	[3]
Number of extension options	2
Debt instrument, extension term	6 months
Facility fee	0.20%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Global revolving credit facility | GBP
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Exchange rate	1.48				1.56
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Global revolving credit facility | Floating Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of March 31, 2015	819,906	[4]			514,951	[4]
Interest rate basis spread	1.10%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Global revolving credit facility | Floating Rate | GBP
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of March 31, 2015	125,360	[4],[5]			132,716	[4]
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Unsecured term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	Apr. 16, 2017
Balance as of March 31, 2015	942,006	[6]			976,600	[6]
Subtotal	942,006	[3]
Unamortized discounts	0	[3]
Number of extension options	2
Debt instrument, extension term	6 months
Interest rate basis spread	1.20%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Unsecured term loan | GBP
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of March 31, 2015	179,187	[7]			188,365	[8]
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Unsecured term loan | Floating Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of extension options	2
Debt instrument, extension term	6 months
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Prudential Shelf Facility:
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	75,000				142,000
Unamortized discounts	0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Prudential Shelf Facility: | Series C
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	9.68%
Maturity Date	Jan. 06, 2016
Subtotal	25,000				25,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Prudential Shelf Facility: | Series D
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	4.57%
Maturity Date	Jan. 20, 2015
Subtotal	0	[9]			50,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Prudential Shelf Facility: | Series E
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	5.73%
Maturity Date	Jan. 20, 2017
Subtotal	50,000				50,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Prudential Shelf Facility: | Series F
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	4.50%
Maturity Date	Feb. 03, 2015
Subtotal	0	[9]			17,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Senior Notes:
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	2,612,260
Unamortized discounts	(14,788)				(15,632)
Unsecured senior notes, net of discount	2,597,472				2,649,758
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Senior Notes: | 4.50% notes due 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	4.50%
Maturity Date	Jul. 15, 2015	[10]
Subtotal	375,000				375,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Senior Notes: | 4.50% notes due 2015 | Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price			100.00%	100.00%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Senior Notes: | 5.875% notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	5.875%
Maturity Date	Feb. 01, 2020
Subtotal	500,000				500,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Senior Notes: | 5.25% notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	5.25%
Maturity Date	Mar. 15, 2021
Subtotal	400,000				400,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Senior Notes: | 3.625% notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	3.625%
Maturity Date	Oct. 01, 2022
Subtotal	300,000				300,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Senior Notes: | 4.75% notes due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	4.75%
Maturity Date	Oct. 13, 2023
Subtotal	444,540	[11]			467,310	[11]
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Senior Notes: | 4.25% notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate at March 31, 2015	4.25%
Maturity Date	Jan. 17, 2025
Subtotal	$ 592,720	[11]			$ 623,080	[11]

[1] The interest rates for base rate borrowings under the global revolving credit facility equal the U.S. Prime Rate plus a margin of 10 basis points, which is based on the credit ratings of our long-term debt.

[2] Balances as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows (balances, in thousands):Denomination of DrawBalance as of March 31, 2015 Weighted-averageinterest rateBalance as of December 31, 2014 Weighted-averageinterest rateFloating Rate Borrowing (a)U.S. dollar ($)$317,0001.28%$90,0001.27%British pound sterling (£)125,360(c)1.62% 132,7161.61%Euro (€)140,791(c)1.05%58,071(d)1.13%Australian dollar (AUD)70,061(c)3.35%72,676(d)3.74%Hong Kong dollar (HKD)87,417(c)1.34%79,336(d)1.34%Japanese yen (JPY)13,235(c)1.17%13,201(d)1.17%Singapore dollar (SGD)4,153(c)1.86% 6,565(d)1.64%Canadian dollar (CAD)61,889(c)2.10%62,386(d)2.39%Total$819,906 1.54%$514,951 1.84%Base Rate Borrowing (b) U.S. dollar ($)$7,000 3.35%$11,000 3.35%Total borrowings$826,906 1.55%$525,951 1.87%(a)The interest rates for floating rate borrowings under the global revolving credit facility equal the applicable index plus a margin of 110 basis points, which is based on the credit ratings of our long-term debt.(b)The interest rates for base rate borrowings under the global revolving credit facility equal the U.S. Prime Rate plus a margin of 10 basis points, which is based on the credit ratings of our long-term debt.(c)Based on exchange rates of $1.48 to £1.00, $1.07 to €1.00, $0.76 to 1.00 AUD, $0.13 to 1.00 HKD, $0.01 to 1.00 JPY, $0.73 to 1.00 SGD and $0.79 to 1.00 CAD, respectively, as of March 31, 2015.(d)Based on exchange rates of $1.21 to €1.00, $0.82 to 1.00 AUD, $0.13 to 1.00 HKD, $0.01 to 1.00 JPY, $0.75 to 1.00 SGD and $0.86 to 1.00 CAD, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.

[3] Subject to two six-month extension options exercisable by us. The bank group is obligated to grant the extension options provided we give proper notice, we make certain representations and warranties and no default exists under the global revolving credit facility and the unsecured term loan, as applicable.

[4] The interest rates for floating rate borrowings under the global revolving credit facility equal the applicable index plus a margin of 110 basis points, which is based on the credit ratings of our long-term debt.

[5] Based on exchange rates of $1.48 to £1.00, $1.07 to €1.00, $0.76 to 1.00 AUD, $0.13 to 1.00 HKD, $0.01 to 1.00 JPY, $0.73 to 1.00 SGD and $0.79 to 1.00 CAD, respectively, as of March 31, 2015.

[6] Balances as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows (balances, in thousands):Denomination of DrawBalance as of March 31, 2015 Weighted-averageinterest rate Balance as of December 31, 2014 Weighted-averageinterest rate U.S. dollar ($)$410,9051.38%(b)$410,9051.36%(d)Singapore dollar (SGD)166,485(a)1.75%(b)172,426(c)1.45%(d)British pound sterling (£)179,187(a)1.76%188,365(c)1.76%Euro (€)106,773(a)1.19%120,375(c)1.22%Australian dollar (AUD)78,656(a)3.50%84,529(c)3.98%Total$942,006 1.67%(b)$976,6001.66%(d)(a)Based on exchange rates of $0.73 to 1.00 SGD, $1.48 to £1.00, $1.07 to €1.00 and $0.76 to 1.00 AUD, respectively, as of March 31, 2015.(b)As of March 31, 2015, the weighted-average interest rate reflecting interest rate swaps was 1.92% (U.S. dollar), 2.10% (Singapore dollar) and 1.97% (Total). See Note 14 for further discussion on interest rate swaps.(c)Based on exchange rates of $0.75 to 1.00 SGD, $1.56 to £1.00, $1.21 to €1.00 and $0.82 to 1.00 AUD, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.(d)As of December 31, 2014, the weighted-average interest rate reflecting interest rate swaps was 1.92% (U.S. dollar), 2.01% (Singapore dollar) and 2.00% (Total). See Note 14 for further discussion on interest rate swaps.

[7] Based on exchange rates of $0.73 to 1.00 SGD, $1.48 to £1.00, $1.07 to €1.00 and $0.76 to 1.00 AUD, respectively, as of March 31, 2015.

[8] Based on exchange rates of $0.75 to 1.00 SGD, $1.56 to £1.00, $1.21 to €1.00 and $0.82 to 1.00 AUD, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.

[9] These unsecured senior notes were repaid in full at maturity.

[10] On April 24, 2015, the operating partnership gave notice of its intention to redeem all of its outstanding 2015 Notes, pursuant to its option under the Indenture governing the 2015 Notes, dated July 8, 2010. The redemption date is May 26, 2015 and the redemption price is 100% of the principal amount of the 2015 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon up to, but excluding, the redemption date.

[11] Based on exchange rate of $1.48 to £1.00 as of March 31, 2015 and $1.56 to £1.00 as of December 31, 2014.