Debt of the Operating Partnership (Senior Notes) (Details) - 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2017 - Digital Realty Trust, L.P. - Senior notes	USD ($)	GBP (£)	EUR (€)
Floating rate notes due 2019
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount | €			€ 125,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	$ 140,100,000.0
5.875% notes due 2020
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	500,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	487,100,000.0
3.400% notes Due 2020
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	500,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	494,500,000.0
5.250% notes due 2021
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	400,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	395,500,000.0
3.950% notes Due 2022
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	500,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	491,800,000.0
3.625% notes due 2022
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	300,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	293,100,000.0
2.750% notes due 2023
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	350,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	346,900,000.0
4.750% notes due 2023
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount | £		£ 300,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	490,900,000.0
2.625% notes due 2024
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount | €			€ 600,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	670,300,000.0
2.750% notes due 2024
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount | £		250,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	321,300,000.0
4.250% notes due 2025
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount | £		£ 400,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	624,200,000.0
4.750% notes due 2025
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	450,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	445,800,000.0
3.700% notes due 2027
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	1,000,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	991,000,000.0
3.300% notes due 2029
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Debt face amount	350,000,000
Proceeds form debt, net of issuance costs	$ 448,600,000.0