Debt of the Operating Partnership (Schedule of Debt Maturities And Principal Maturities) (Details) - Digital Realty Trust, L.P. $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) extension	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2015	$ 138,927
2016	158,405
2017	593
2018	644
2019	1,692,294
Thereafter	4,228,576
Subtotal	6,219,439
Unamortized discounts	(17,118)
Unamortized net premiums	404
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	6,202,725
Global revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	691,161
Thereafter	0
Subtotal	691,161	$ 967,884
Unamortized discounts	0
Unamortized net premiums	0
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	$ 691,161
Number of extension options \| extension	2
Revolving credit facility commitments extension	6 months
Unsecured term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2015	$ 0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Thereafter	1,573,376
Subtotal	1,573,376	924,568
Unamortized discounts	0
Unamortized net premiums	0
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	$ 1,573,376
Number of extension options \| extension	2
Prudential Shelf Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2015	$ 0
2016	50,000
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Thereafter	0
Subtotal	50,000	75,000
Unamortized discounts	0
Unamortized net premiums	0
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	50,000
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	1,000,000
Thereafter	2,655,200
Subtotal	3,655,200
Unamortized discounts	(17,118)	(17,914)
Unamortized net premiums	0
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	3,638,082	3,663,606
Mortgage Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2015	138,927
2016	108,405
2017	593
2018	644
2019	1,133
Thereafter	0
Subtotal	249,702
Unamortized discounts	0
Unamortized net premiums	404	439
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	$ 250,106	$ 303,183

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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