Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership) (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of units (units)	159,539,892	159,019,118
Percentage of total	98.40%	98.50%
Common stock conversion ratio	1
Common units held by third parties
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common units held by third parties (units)	1,011,814	1,141,814
Percentage of total	0.60%	0.70%
Incentive units held by employees and directors (see Note 13)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	1,534,357	1,333,849
Percentage of total	1.00%	0.80%
Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of units (units)	162,086,063	161,494,781
Percentage of total	100.00%	100.00%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock conversion ratio	1
Redemption value of OP units | $	$ 255.9	$ 226.3