Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (Schedule of Dividends) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 14, 2017	Aug. 07, 2017	Apr. 05, 2017	Sep. 15, 2016	Aug. 24, 2015	Mar. 26, 2014	Apr. 09, 2013	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit (in dollars per share)								$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Series C Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.65625							1.65625
Series E Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per share)								1.75
Preferred stock, redemption price per share (in dollars per share)				$ 25.35972
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit (in dollars per share)				$ 25.00
Accrued and unpaid dividends up to but not including the redemption date				$ 4,100
Redemption premium				$ 10,300
Series F Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per share)								1.65625
Preferred stock, redemption price per share (in dollars per share)			$ 25.01840
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit (in dollars per share)			$ 25.00
Accrued and unpaid dividends up to but not including the redemption date			$ 100
Redemption premium			$ 6,300
Series G Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per share)							$ 1.46875	1.46875
Series H Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per share)						$ 1.84375		1.84375
Series I Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per share)					$ 1.58750			1.5875
Series J Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per share)		$ 1.31250						1.3125
Common Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share)								$ 4.040	$ 3.720	$ 3.520
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 13,332	$ 3,963	$ 0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,963
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,333
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,333
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,333
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,333
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0	0	10,062
Preferred stock, redemption price per share (in dollars per share)				$ 25.35972
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit (in dollars per share)				$ 25.00
Accrued and unpaid dividends up to but not including the redemption date				$ 4,100
Redemption premium				$ 10,300
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										5,031
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										5,031
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0	3,023	12,092
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,023
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,023
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,023
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,023
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,023
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series F Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								14,688	14,688	14,688
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,672
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								26,920	26,920	26,920
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								6,730
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								15,876	15,876	15,876
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,969
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								10,500	4,200	0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									4,200
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								2,625
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								2,625
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								2,625
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								2,625
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units								832,667	681,280	536,733
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 1 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units										131,587
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 2 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units										131,607
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 3 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units										131,657
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 4 Year One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units										$ 141,882
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 1 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units									148,358
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 2 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units									150,814
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 3 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units									191,041
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 4 Year Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units									$ 191,067
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 1 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units								208,015
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 2 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units								208,071
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 3 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units								208,166
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Stock | Installment 4 Year Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units								$ 208,415