Business Combinations - Ascenty Acquisition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 20, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 3,363,070	$ 4,348,007	$ 3,389,595
Ascenty
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and equity consideration	$ 1,958,667
Cash and cash equivalents	116,000
Buildings and improvements	425,000
Goodwill	982,667		$ 982,667	$ 0
Other assets	30,000
Other liabilities	(40,000)
Capital lease and other long-term obligations	(50,000)
Ascenty | Digital Realty Operating Partnership Units
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity interest in exchange for units	254,000
Ascenty | Secured Term Loan | Secured Term Loan, 5 Year
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 600,000
Debt instrument term	5 years
Ascenty | Secured Term Loan | Unsecured Debt.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 1,000,000
Ascenty | Tenant relationship value.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	375,000
Ascenty | Acquired in-place lease value
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 120,000