Debt of the Operating Partnership (Schedule of Debt Maturities and Principal Maturities) (Details) - Digital Realty Trust, L.P. $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 20, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) extension	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2017		$ 50,546
2018		593
2019		644
2020		1,211,210
2021		1,588,498
Thereafter		3,044,820
Subtotal		5,896,311
Unamortized discount		(15,649)
Unamortized premium		334
Total		5,880,996
Global revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2017		0
2018		0
2019		0
2020		210,077
2021		0
Thereafter		0
Subtotal		210,077	$ 967,884
Unamortized discount		0
Unamortized premium		0
Total		$ 210,077
Number of extension options | extension		2
Revolving credit facility commitments extension		6 months
Unsecured term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2017		$ 0
2018		0
2019		0
2020		0
2021		1,188,498
Thereafter		300,000
Subtotal		1,488,498	924,568
Unamortized discount		0
Unamortized premium		0
Total		1,488,498
Prudential Shelf Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2017		50,000
2018		0
2019		0
2020		0
2021		0
Thereafter		0
Subtotal		50,000	75,000
Unamortized discount		0
Unamortized premium		0
Total		50,000
Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2017		0
2018		0
2019		0
2020		1,000,000
2021		400,000
Thereafter		2,744,820
Subtotal		4,144,820
Unamortized discount		(15,649)	(17,914)
Unamortized premium		0
Total		4,129,171	3,663,606
Mortgage loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2017		546
2018		593
2019		644
2020		1,133
2021		0
Thereafter		0
Subtotal		2,916
Unamortized discount		0
Unamortized premium		334	439
Total		3,250	303,183
Series C | Prudential Shelf Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal		$ 0	$ 25,000
Interest rate		9.68%
Subsequent Event | Series C | Prudential Shelf Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of debt, amount	$ 50,000
Interest rate	5.73%