Debt of the Operating Partnership (Schedule of Debt Maturities and Principal Maturities) (Details) - Digital Realty Trust, L.P. $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) extension	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2018	$ 593
2019	150,707
2020	1,559,324
2021	1,525,117
2022	800,000
Thereafter	4,680,990
Subtotal	8,716,731
Unamortized discount	(18,508)
Unamortized premium	241
Total	8,698,464
Global revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2018	0
2019	0
2020	558,191
2021	0
2022	0
Thereafter	0
Subtotal	558,191	$ 210,077
Unamortized discount	0
Unamortized premium	0
Total	$ 558,191
Number of extension options \| extension	2
Revolving credit facility commitments extension	6 months
Interest rate	4.50%
Unsecured term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2018	$ 0
2019	0
2020	0
2021	1,125,117
2022	0
Thereafter	300,000
Subtotal	1,425,117	1,488,498
Unamortized discount	0
Unamortized premium	0
Total	1,425,117
Prudential Shelf Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subtotal	0	50,000
Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2018	0
2019	150,063
2020	1,000,000
2021	400,000
2022	800,000
Thereafter	4,276,990
Subtotal	6,627,053
Unamortized discount	(18,508)	(15,649)
Unamortized premium	0
Total	6,608,545	4,129,171
Mortgage loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2018	593
2019	644
2020	1,133
2021	0
2022	0
Thereafter	104,000
Subtotal	106,370
Unamortized discount	0
Unamortized premium	241	334
Total	$ 106,611	$ 3,250

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