Debt of the Operating Partnership (Schedule of Debt Maturities And Principal Maturities) (Details) - Digital Realty Trust, L.P. $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) extension	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2016	$ 666
2017	158,405
2018	593
2019	644
2020	1,165,920
Thereafter	4,760,239
Subtotal	6,086,467
Unamortized discounts	(16,658)
Unamortized premiums	357
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	6,070,166
Global revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
2020	164,786
Thereafter	0
Subtotal	164,786	$ 967,884
Unamortized discounts	0
Unamortized premiums	0
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	$ 164,786
Number of extension options \| extension	2
Revolving credit facility commitments extension	6 months
Unsecured term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2016	$ 0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
2020	0
Thereafter	1,528,099
Subtotal	1,528,099	924,568
Unamortized discounts	0
Unamortized premiums	0
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	1,528,099
Prudential Shelf Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2016	0
2017	50,000
2018	0
2019	0
2020	0
Thereafter	0
Subtotal	50,000	75,000
Unamortized discounts	0
Unamortized premiums	0
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	50,000
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
2020	1,000,000
Thereafter	3,232,140
Subtotal	4,232,140
Unamortized discounts	(16,658)	(17,914)
Unamortized premiums	0
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	4,215,482	3,663,606
Mortgage Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2016	666
2017	108,405
2018	593
2019	644
2020	1,134
Thereafter	0
Subtotal	111,442
Unamortized discounts	0
Unamortized premiums	357	439
Long-term debt, net of discount (premium)	$ 111,799	$ 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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