Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (Summary of Activity For Noncontrolling Interests in The Operating Partnership) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 shares
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	10,580,884
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(1,438,478)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(79,398)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	308,308
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	105,843
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(3,700)
Ending balance (units)	9,473,459
Common Units
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	8,636,146
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(1,438,478)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	0
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	0
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	0
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	0
Ending balance (units)	7,197,668
Incentive Units
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	1,944,738
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	0
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(79,398)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	308,308
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	105,843
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(3,700)
Ending balance (units)	2,275,791