Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (7.000% Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units Narrative) (Details) - Series E Preferred Stock and Unit - $ / shares		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 15, 2011	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, dividend rate	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per share)		$ 1.75
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit		25	$ 25
Preferred stock, dividends in arrears per share		0.515278
Preferred stock, redemption price per share (in dollars per share)		$ 25.00
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred units, issued (in shares)	11,500,000	11,500,000	11,500,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.750
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred stock, dividends in arrears per share				$ 0.515278
Preferred stock, redemption price per share (in dollars per share)		$ 25.00