Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership) (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of units (units)	208,214,139	206,425,656
Percentage of total	95.60%	95.10%
Common stock conversion ratio	1
Ascenty Acquisition
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of units in connection with Ascenty Acquisition (units)	2,338,874	2,338,874
Percentage of total	1.10%	1.10%
Common units held by third parties
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common units held by third parties (units)	4,858,794	6,297,272
Percentage of total	2.20%	2.90%
Incentive units held by employees and directors (see Note 13)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	2,275,791	1,944,738
Percentage of total	1.10%	0.90%
Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of units (units)	217,687,598	217,006,540
Percentage of total	100.00%	100.00%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock conversion ratio	1
Redeemable noncontrolling interests – operating partnership | $	$ 1,070.7	$ 1,076.9