Debt of the Operating Partnership (Unsecured Term Loan) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
	Jan. 15, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Apr. 16, 2012
Unsecured term loan — 5-year
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term	5 years
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 6,256,298,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Unsecured term loan — 5-year
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,250,000,000.00
Debt instrument term	5 years
Interest rate basis spread		1.10%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Unsecured term loan — 7-year
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument term	7 years
Interest rate basis spread		1.55%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Unsecured Term Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 1,550,000,000.00		$ 1,000,000,000.0
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity, subject to receipt of lender commitments and other conditions		1,800,000,000.0
Capitalized financing costs		5,800,000
Unsecured Term Loans | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross		$ 1,511,515,000	$ 1,488,498,000
Unsecured Term Loans | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Unsecured term loan — 5-year
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term		5 years
Interest rate basis spread		1.10%
Long-term debt, gross		$ 1,211,515,000	1,188,498,000
Unsecured Term Loans | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Unsecured term loan — 7-year
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term		7 years
Interest rate basis spread		1.55%
Long-term debt, gross		$ 300,000,000	$ 300,000,000