Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Schedule of Distributions) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 05, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Series F Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit)		$ 1.656
Series F Preferred Units | Subsequent Event
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Redemption price per share (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 25.01840
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 25.00
Accrued and unpaid dividends up to but not including the redemption date	$ 100
Redemption premium	$ 6,300
Series G Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit)		1.469
Series H Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit)		1.844
Series I Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit)		$ 1.588
March 1, 2017
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Date dividend/distribution declared		Mar. 01, 2017
Dividend/Distribution payment date		Mar. 31, 2017
March 1, 2017 | Series F Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units		$ 3,023
March 1, 2017 | Series G Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units		3,672
March 1, 2017 | Series H Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units		6,730
March 1, 2017 | Series I Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units		$ 3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Units | Subsequent Event
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Redemption price per share (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 25.01840
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share/unit)	$ 25.00
Accrued and unpaid dividends up to but not including the redemption date	$ 100
Redemption premium	$ 6,300
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | March 1, 2017
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Date dividend/distribution declared		Mar. 01, 2017
Dividend/Distribution payment date		Mar. 31, 2017
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | March 1, 2017 | Series F Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units		$ 3,023
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | March 1, 2017 | Series G Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units		3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | March 1, 2017 | Series H Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units		6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | March 1, 2017 | Series I Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units		3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | March 1, 2017 | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units		$ 150,968
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Annual rate | Series F Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit)		$ 1.656
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Annual rate | Series G Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit)		1.469
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Annual rate | Series H Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit)		1.844
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Annual rate | Series I Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit)		1.588
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Annual rate | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit)		$ 3.72