Debt of the Operating Partnership (Global Revolving Credit Facility) (Narrative) (Details) - Global revolving credit facility			12 Months Ended
	Jan. 15, 2016 USD ($) extension	Aug. 15, 2013 USD ($) extension	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) extension	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Aug. 14, 2013 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit			$ 967,884,000	$ 525,951,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 2,000,000,000			$ 1,800,000,000
Number of extension options | extension		2	2
Revolving credit facility commitments extension (in months)		6 months	6 months
Basis spread on variable rate			1.10%
Commitment fee percentage			0.20%
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)			1.53%	1.87%
Financing costs capitalized amount			$ 18,000,000
Line of credit			967,884,000	$ 525,951,000
Letters of credit			8,700,000
Remaining borrowing capacity			$ 900,000,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Subsequent event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 2,000,000,000.0
Number of extension options | extension	2
Revolving credit facility commitments extension (in months)	6 months
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			0.10%
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)			3.35%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Floating Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			1.10%
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)			1.53%	1.84%
Line of credit			$ 967,884,000	$ 514,951,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Prime Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			0.10%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accordian Feature
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 2,550,000,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accordian Feature | Subsequent event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 2,500,000,000.0