Debt of the Operating Partnership (Unsecured Senior Notes) (Narrative) (Details)		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 20, 2010 USD ($) series	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Nov. 05, 2013 USD ($)	Aug. 15, 2013 USD ($)	Jul. 25, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 24, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 08, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 07, 2010 USD ($)	Feb. 03, 2010 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2008 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2008 USD ($)
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Number of series notes were issued in | series	2
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Balance outstanding		$ 5,951,716,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Unsecured Senior Notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount					$ 50,000,000
Balance outstanding		$ 75,000,000	$ 142,000,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Prudential Shelf Facility | Unsecured Senior Notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	$ 100,000,000							$ 250,000,000	$ 200,000,000
Unissued amount							$ 50,000,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series D | Unsecured Senior Notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	$ 50,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	4.57%
Debt instrument term (in years)		5 years
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E | Unsecured Senior Notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	$ 50,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.73%
Debt instrument term (in years)		7 years
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F | Unsecured Senior Notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount										$ 17,000,000.0
Interest rate (as a percent)										4.50%
Debt instrument term (in years)		5 years
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series A | Unsecured Senior Notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount													$ 25,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)						7.00%
Repaid amount						$ 25,000,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series B | Unsecured Senior Notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount												$ 33,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)				9.32%
Repaid amount				$ 33,000,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C | Unsecured Senior Notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount											$ 25,000,000