Consolidated Statement Of Capital $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance (units) | shares	146,384,247
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	$ 2,930
Units issued under employee stock purchase plan	658
Amortization of share-based compensation	6,314
Net income	62,333
Other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,441)
Other comprehensive loss—fair value of interest rate swaps	(7,409)
Other comprehensive income—reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	$ 1,058
Balance (units) | shares	146,797,648
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$ 4,535,137
Common unit offering costs, net	137
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options	1,147
Units issued under employee stock purchase plan	658
Amortization of share-based compensation	6,314
Distributions	(153,974)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of contributions	(115)
Net income	62,333
Other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,441)
Other comprehensive loss—fair value of interest rate swaps	(7,409)
Other comprehensive income—reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,058
Balance as of March 31, 2016	4,443,845
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2015	(100,964)
Other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,441)
Other comprehensive loss—fair value of interest rate swaps	(7,409)
Other comprehensive income—reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,058
Balance as of March 31, 2016	(108,756)
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Joint Ventures | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2015	6,758
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of contributions	(115)
Net income	121
Balance as of March 31, 2016	6,764
General Partner | Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$ 1,290,135
Balance (units) | shares	53,400,000
Distributions	$ (22,424)
Net income	22,424
Balance as of March 31, 2016	$ 1,290,135
Balance (units) | shares	53,400,000
General Partner | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$ 3,305,222
Balance (units) | shares	146,384,247
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	$ 2,930
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units) | shares	252,521
Issuance of unvested restricted common units, net of forfeitures (units) | shares	122,209
Common unit offering costs, net	$ 137
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options	$ 1,147
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options (units) | shares	28,345
Units issued under employee stock purchase plan	$ 658
Units issued under employee stock purchase plan (unit) | shares	10,326
Amortization of share-based compensation	$ 6,314
Reclassification of vested share-based awards	(6,919)
Distributions	(129,064)
Net income	39,125
Balance as of March 31, 2016	$ 3,219,550
Balance (units) | shares	146,797,648
Limited Partners | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$ 33,986
Balance (units) | shares	2,833,326
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	$ (2,930)
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units) | shares	(252,521)
Issuance of common units, net of forfeitures (units) | shares	15,745
Reclassification of vested share-based awards	$ 6,919
Distributions	(2,486)
Net income	663
Balance as of March 31, 2016	$ 36,152
Balance (units) | shares	2,596,550