Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (Summary of Activity for Noncontrolling Interests in the Operating Partnership) (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest, Shares [Roll Forward]
Balance as of Beginning of Period (in shares)	2,833,326	3,013,661	2,967,021
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	(279,500)	(42,500)	(28,000)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	(150,993)	(113,508)	(106,073)
Vesting of Class C Units (2007 Grant) (in shares)			(18,773)
Cancellation of incentive units held by employees and directors (in shares)	(1,416)	(151,579)
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (in shares)	74,246	127,252	199,486
Balance as of End of Period (in shares)	2,475,663	2,833,326	3,013,661
Common Units
Noncontrolling Interest, Shares [Roll Forward]
Balance as of Beginning of Period (in shares)	1,421,314	1,463,814	1,491,814
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	(279,500)	(42,500)	(28,000)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	0	0	0
Vesting of Class C Units (2007 Grant) (in shares)			0
Cancellation of incentive units held by employees and directors (in shares)		0
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (in shares)	0		0
Balance as of End of Period (in shares)	1,141,814	1,421,314	1,463,814
Incentive Units
Noncontrolling Interest, Shares [Roll Forward]
Balance as of Beginning of Period (in shares)	1,412,012	1,549,847	1,475,207
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	0	0	0
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (in shares)	(150,993)	(113,508)	(106,073)
Vesting of Class C Units (2007 Grant) (in shares)			(18,773)
Cancellation of incentive units held by employees and directors (in shares)	(1,416)	(151,579)
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (in shares)	74,246	127,252	199,486
Balance as of End of Period (in shares)	1,333,849	1,412,012	1,549,847