Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Distributions) (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 unit)								$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Series C Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)	$ 1.65625
Series C Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 13,332	$ 3,963	$ 0
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)								$ 1.65625
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,963
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 3,333
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,333
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,333
Series C Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,333
Series E Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 0	0	10,062
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)								$ 1.75
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										5,031
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										5,031
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 0
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Series E Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Series F Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock, redemption price per share (in dollars per unit)			$ 25.01840
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit (in dollars per unit)			$ 25.00
Accrued and unpaid dividends up to but not including the redemption date			$ 100
Redemption premium			$ 6,300
Series F Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 0	3,023	12,092
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)								$ 1.65625
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,023
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,023
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,023
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,023
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,023
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 0
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Series F Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Series G Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)							$ 1.46875
Series G Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 14,688	14,688	14,688
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)								$ 1.46875
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,672
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,672
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,672
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,672
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,672
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,672
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,672
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,672
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 3,672
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,672
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,672
Series G Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,672
Series H Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)						$ 1.84375
Series H Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 26,920	26,920	26,920
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)								$ 1.84375
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										6,730
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										6,730
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										6,730
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										6,730
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									6,730
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									6,730
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									6,730
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									6,730
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 6,730
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								6,730
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								6,730
Series H Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								6,730
Series I Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)					$ 1.58750
Series I Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 15,876	15,876	15,876
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)								$ 1.5875
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,969
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,969
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,969
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										3,969
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,969
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,969
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,969
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									3,969
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 3,969
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,969
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,969
Series I Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								3,969
Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)		$ 1.31250
Series J Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 10,500	4,200	0
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)								$ 1.3125
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									4,200
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 2,625
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								2,625
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								2,625
Series J Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 2,625
Series E Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Annual rate of dividend per share (in dollars per unit)								$ 1.75
Preferred stock, redemption price per share (in dollars per unit)				$ 25.35972
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit (in dollars per unit)				$ 25.00
Accrued and unpaid dividends up to but not including the redemption date				$ 4,100
Redemption premium				$ 10,300
Series E Preferred Stock | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								$ 0	0	10,062
Preferred stock, redemption price per share (in dollars per unit)				$ 25.35972
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit (in dollars per unit)				$ 25.00
Accrued and unpaid dividends up to but not including the redemption date				$ 4,100
Redemption premium				$ 10,300
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										5,031
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										5,031
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units										0
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units									0
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Series E Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units								0
Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units								$ 867,405	$ 702,254	$ 539,044
Common stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share)								$ 4.040	$ 3.720	$ 3.520
Common Units | Installment 1 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units										$ 131,587
Common Units | Installment 2 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units										131,607
Common Units | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units										131,657
Common Units | Installment 4 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units										$ 144,193
Common Units | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units									$ 150,968
Common Units | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units									153,176
Common Units | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units									199,049
Common Units | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units									$ 199,061
Common Units | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units								$ 216,953
Common Units | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units								216,789
Common Units | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units								216,825
Common Units | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units								$ 216,838