Debt of the Operating Partnership (3.950% Notes Due 2022) (Narrative) (Details)		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 23, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Unsecured senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing costs, net		$ 25,400,000	$ 26,000,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount		$ 15,649,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | 3.950% Notes Due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unencumbered assets to unsecured debt		150.00%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Unsecured senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount		$ 15,649,000	17,914,000
Deferred financing costs, net		$ 25,374,000	$ 26,037,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Unsecured senior notes | 3.950% Notes Due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	$ 500,000,000.0
Interest rate	3.95%
Issuance as a percentage of par	99.236%
Unamortized discount	$ 3,800,000
Deferred financing costs, net	4,400,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	$ 491,800,000
Leverage ratio percentage		60.00%
Covenant, secured leverage ration allowable maximum		40.00%
Covenant, interest coverage ratio required minimum		1.50