Debt of the Operating Partnership (Unsecured Senior Notes) (Narrative) (Details) - Digital Realty Trust, L.P.		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 20, 2010 USD ($) series	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 20, 2017 USD ($)	Jan. 06, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 03, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 20, 2015 USD ($)	Nov. 05, 2013 USD ($)	Aug. 15, 2013 USD ($)	Jul. 25, 2011 USD ($)	Jul. 24, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 08, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 07, 2010 USD ($)	Feb. 03, 2010 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2008 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2008 USD ($)
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Balance outstanding		$ 5,896,311,000
Unsecured Debt
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount									$ 50,000,000
Number of series notes were issued in | series	2
Balance outstanding		50,000,000			$ 75,000,000
Unsecured senior notes
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Balance outstanding		$ 4,144,820,000
Prudential Shelf Facility | Unsecured Debt
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	$ 100,000,000											$ 250,000,000	$ 200,000,000
Unissued amount											$ 50,000,000
Series D | Unsecured Debt
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	50,000,000
Interest rate							4.57%
Debt instrument term		5 years
Repaid amount							$ 50,000,000
Series E | Unsecured Debt
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	$ 50,000,000
Interest rate	5.73%
Debt instrument term		7 years
Series F | Unsecured Debt
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount														$ 17,000,000
Interest rate						4.50%
Debt instrument term		5 years
Repaid amount						$ 17,000,000
Series A | Unsecured Debt
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount																	$ 25,000,000
Interest rate										7.00%
Repaid amount										$ 25,000,000
Series B | Unsecured Debt
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount																$ 33,000,000
Interest rate								9.32%
Repaid amount								$ 33,000,000
Series C | Unsecured Debt
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount															$ 25,000,000
Interest rate				9.68%
Repaid amount				$ 25,000,000.0
Subsequent Event | Series E | Unsecured Debt
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Interest rate			5.73%
Repaid amount			$ 50,000,000.0