Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	$ 21,687
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	22,015	$ (11,279)
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	21,687
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0	0
Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(8,839)	7,890
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(7,138)	(3,826)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	13,176	(3,389)
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	21,687
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(7,138)	(3,826)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	10,858,210	11,049,450
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	21,687
Ending balance	10,608,100	10,858,210
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(163,531)	(151,795)
Net current period change	23,975	(11,736)
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	21,687
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0	0
Ending balance	(117,869)	(163,531)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	16,986	12,758
Net current period change	(9,232)	8,197
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(7,446)	(3,969)
Ending balance	308	16,986
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	26,152	26,152
Net current period change	0	0
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0	0
Ending balance	26,152	26,152
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(120,393)	(112,885)
Net current period change	14,743	(3,539)
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	21,687
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(7,446)	(3,969)
Ending balance	$ (91,409)	$ (120,393)