Condensed Consolidated Statement of Capital $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) shares
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance (units) as of December 31, 2016 | shares	159,019,118
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	$ (2,744)
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan	1,919
Amortization of share-based compensation	6,067
Net income	84,563
Other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustments	16,578
Other comprehensive loss—fair value of interest rate swaps and foreign currency hedges	(4,364)
Other comprehensive income—reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	$ 1,030
Balance (units) as of March 31, 2017 | shares	159,539,892
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$ 5,132,297
Common unit offering costs, net	118
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options	687
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan	1,919
Amortization of share-based compensation	6,067
Distributions	(168,304)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of contributions	(146)
Net income	84,563
Other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustments	16,578
Other comprehensive loss—fair value of interest rate swaps and foreign currency hedges	(4,364)
Other comprehensive income—reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,030
Balance as of March 31, 2017	5,070,445
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2016	(140,619)
Other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustments	16,578
Other comprehensive loss—fair value of interest rate swaps and foreign currency hedges	(4,364)
Other comprehensive income—reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense	1,030
Balance as of March 31, 2017	(127,375)
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Joint Ventures | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2016	6,598
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of contributions	(146)
Net income	121
Balance as of March 31, 2017	6,573
General Partner | Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$ 1,012,961
Balance (units) as of December 31, 2016 | shares	41,900,000
Distributions	$ (17,393)
Net income	17,393
Balance as of March 31, 2017	$ 1,012,961
Balance (units) as of March 31, 2017 | shares	41,900,000
General Partner | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$ 4,218,659
Balance (units) as of December 31, 2016 | shares	159,019,118
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	$ 2,744
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units) | shares	216,964
Issuance of unvested restricted common units (units) | shares	258,835
Common unit offering costs, net	$ 118
Common unit offering costs, net (units) | shares	0
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options	$ 687
Issuance of common units in connection with the exercise of stock options (units) | shares	17,668
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan	$ 1,919
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan (units) | shares	27,307
Amortization of share-based compensation	$ 6,067
Reclassification of vested share-based awards	(6,939)
Distributions	(148,358)
Net income	66,145
Balance as of March 31, 2017	$ 4,141,042
Balance (units) as of March 31, 2017 | shares	159,539,892
Limited Partners | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$ 34,698
Balance (units) as of December 31, 2016 | shares	2,475,663
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units	$ (2,744)
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units) | shares	(216,964)
Issuance of common units, net of forfeitures (units) | shares	287,472
Reclassification of vested share-based awards	$ 6,939
Distributions	(2,553)
Net income	904
Balance as of March 31, 2017	$ 37,244
Balance (units) as of March 31, 2017 | shares	2,546,171