Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (6.625% Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units Narrative) (Details) - Series F Preferred Stock and Unit - $ / shares		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, dividend rate		6.625%	6.625%
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per share)		$ 1.65625
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit		25.00	$ 25
Preferred stock, dividends in arrears per share	$ 0.395660
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)		7,300,000	7,300,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate		6.625%	6.625%
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per share)		$ 1.65625
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit		25	$ 25
Preferred stock, dividends in arrears per share	$ 0.39566
Preferred stock, redemption price per share (in dollars per share)		$ 25.00