CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 349,326	$ 52,597	$ 599,221	$ 341,115	$ 256,267
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on disposition of properties, net			(335,148)	(80,049)	(40,354)
Unrealized gain on equity investment			(46,492)	(1,631)	0
Impairment of investments in real estate			5,351	0	28,992
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures			(8,067)	(32,979)	(25,516)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures			44,293	21,905	31,747
Write-off due to early lease terminations			11,400	2,818	3,076
Depreciation and amortization of buildings and improvements, tenant improvements and acquired ground leases			809,472	770,275	594,996
Amortization of acquired in-place lease value and deferred leasing costs			354,302	416,621	247,468
Amortization of share-based compensation			34,905	27,159	20,521
Non-cash amortization of terminated swaps			1,047	1,120	1,204
(Recovery of) allowance for doubtful accounts			2,159	6,304	(776)
Amortization of deferred financing costs			13,362	11,537	10,634
Loss (gain) from early extinguishment of debt			39,157	1,568	(1,990)
Amortization of debt discount/premium			2,260	3,538	2,992
Amortization of acquired above-market leases and acquired below-market leases, net			17,097	26,530	1,770
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables			(8,435)	(21,318)	(73,717)
Deferred rent			(47,858)	(39,905)	(16,564)
Deferred leasing costs			(31,270)	(72,104)	(15,363)
Other assets			(15,599)	(9,145)	(1,800)
Accounts payable, operating lease liabilities and other accrued liabilities			68,155	39,192	(16,384)
Security deposits and prepaid rents			4,505	(27,227)	16,102
Net cash provided by operating activities			1,513,817	1,385,324	1,023,305
Cash flows from investing activities:
Improvements to investments in real estate			(1,436,902)	(1,325,162)	(1,150,619)
Ascenty acquisition			0	1,679,830	0
Deconsolidation of Ascenty cash			(97,081)	0	0
Proceeds from the joint venture transactions			1,494,881	0	0
Deposits paid for acquisitions of real estate			(18,075)	0	0
Cash assumed in business combinations			0	116,000	20,650
Acquisitions of real estate			(75,704)	(410,712)	(415,764)
Proceeds from sale of assets, net of sales costs			0	286,204	89,333
Distribution of debt proceeds from closing of joint venture			0	0	135,793
Contributions to unconsolidated joint ventures			(101,101)	(673)	(93,405)
Excess proceeds from forward contract settlement			0	0	63,956
Prepaid construction costs and other investments			(2,597)	(13,254)	0
Improvement advances to tenants			(66,078)	(48,502)	(50,857)
Collection of improvement advances to tenants			27,665	39,936	43,760
Net cash used in investing activities			(274,992)	(3,035,993)	(1,357,153)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on global revolving credit facilities			3,099,685	3,046,245	2,180,556
Repayments on global revolving credit facilities			(4,512,073)	(1,945,594)	(2,304,686)
Borrowings on unsecured term loans			0	467,922	0
Repayments on unsecured term loans			(375,000)	(674,332)	(371,520)
Borrowings on unsecured senior notes			2,869,240	1,169,006	2,265,060
Repayments on unsecured senior notes			(1,539,613)	0	0
Principal payments on unsecured senior notes			0	0	884,841
Borrowings on secured debt			0	600,000	104,000
Principal payments on secured debt			(688)	(594)	(105,546)
Repayments on other secured loans			0	0	50,000
Payment of loan fees and costs			(20,944)	(44,299)	(16,830)
Premium paid for early extinguishment of debt			(35,067)	0	0
Capital contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net			63,173	66,124	(8,593)
Taxes paid related to net settlement of stock-based compensation awards			0	(5,055)	0
Proceeds from common and preferred stock offerings, net			535,620	1,194	405,437
Redemption of preferred stock			(365,050)	0	(182,500)
Proceeds from equity plans			5,462	5,874	5,872
Proceeds from forward swap contract			0	1,560	0
Payment of dividends to preferred stockholders			(74,990)	(81,316)	(68,802)
Payment of dividends to common stockholders and distributions to noncontrolling interests in operating partnership			(921,776)	(849,466)	(646,407)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities			(1,272,021)	1,757,269	321,200
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			(33,196)	106,600	(12,648)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			(4,773)	15,441	3,793
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			135,222	13,181	22,036
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	97,253	135,222	97,253	135,222	13,181
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized			312,848	288,643	211,549
Cash paid for income taxes			14,607	11,224	9,456
Operating cash paid used in the measurement of operating lease liabilities			89,980	0
Supplementary disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Noncontrolling interests in operating partnership converted to shares of common stock			190,514	62,004	10,009
Accrual for additions to investments in real estate and tenant improvement advances included in accounts payable and accrued expenses			197,665	189,508	149,548
Assumption of capital lease obligations upon acquisition				75,030
Non-cash derecognition of capital lease obligation			0	17,294	0
Decrease to goodwill and deferred tax liability (classified within accounts payable and other accrued liabilities)			(9,436)	0
Allocation of purchase price of real estate/investment in partnership to:
Investments in real estate			(74,903)	(410,712)	(366,105)
Accounts receivables			(76)	0	0
Acquired above-market leases			0	0	21,043
Acquired in-place lease value and deferred leasing costs			725	0	30,111
Acquired below-market leases			0	0	1,495
Cash paid for acquisition of real estate			75,704	410,712	415,764
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Land	72,027	356,704	72,027	356,704
Goodwill	3,363,070	4,348,007	3,363,070	4,348,007	3,389,595
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	20,625	93,056	20,625	93,056
Issuance of preferred stock in connection with merger					211,897
Contribution of assets and liabilities to unconsolidated joint venture:
Net carrying value of assets and liabilities contributed to joint ventures			722,442	0	104,172
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	196,547	0	196,547	0	55,746
Deconsolidation of Ascenty and consolidated joint venture:
Investment in real estate	(15,517,684)	(15,079,726)	(15,517,684)	(15,079,726)
Account receivables	(305,501)	(299,621)	(305,501)	(299,621)
Acquired in-place lease value, deferred leasing costs and intangibles	(2,195,324)	(3,144,395)	(2,195,324)	(3,144,395)
Goodwill	(3,363,070)	(4,348,007)	(3,363,070)	(4,348,007)	(3,389,595)
Other assets	(184,561)	(185,239)	(184,561)	(185,239)
Secured debt	104,934	685,714	104,934	685,714
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	1,007,761	1,164,509	1,007,761	1,164,509
Non-controlling interest in consolidated joint venture	1,287,109	175,108	1,287,109	175,108	163,477
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(87,922)	(115,647)	(87,922)	(115,647)
Deconsolidation of cash and cash equivalents			(97,081)	0	0
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	196,547	0	196,547	0	55,746
Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Cash and cash equivalents		116,000		116,000	20,650
Land	0	0	0	0	312,579
Buildings and improvements		425,000		425,000	3,677,497
Accounts receivables and other assets		30,000		30,000	10,978
Tenant relationship and acquired in-place lease value		495,000		495,000	1,582,385
Goodwill		982,667		982,667	2,592,181
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		90,000		90,000	248,259
Acquired below-market leases	0	0	0	0	(185,543)
Other working capital, net	0	0	0	0	(22,640)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests -- operating partnership			0	0	(66,259)
Noncontrolling interests in operating partnership				253,837	676,566
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures		25,000		25,000
Deconsolidation of Ascenty and consolidated joint venture:
Goodwill		(982,667)		(982,667)	(2,592,181)
Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018 | Global revolving credit facilities, net
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Long term debt	0	0	0	0	450,697
Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018 | Unsecured term loans
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Long term debt	0	0	0	0	250,000
Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018 | Unsecured Debt.
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Long term debt	0	0	0	0	886,831
Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018 | Mortgage notes payable and unsecured debt
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Long term debt	0	0	0	0	105,000
Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018 | Acquired above-market leases
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Acquired above-market leases	0	0	0	0	162,333
DFT Merger
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Goodwill	2,592,146	2,592,146	2,592,146	2,592,146	2,592,146
Common stock and units issued					5,924,124
Deconsolidation of Ascenty and consolidated joint venture:
Goodwill	(2,592,146)	(2,592,146)	(2,592,146)	(2,592,146)	(2,592,146)
Corporate Joint Venture
Cash flows from investing activities:
Deconsolidation of Ascenty cash			(7,844)
Contribution of assets and liabilities to unconsolidated joint venture:
Investments in real estate			571,648	0	119,106
Other assets			171,798	0	16,700
Other liabilities			(21,004)	0	(31,634)
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	110,086		110,086
Deconsolidation of Ascenty and consolidated joint venture:
Investment in real estate	(199,063)		(199,063)
Account receivables	(14,545)		(14,545)
Acquired in-place lease value, deferred leasing costs and intangibles	(23)		(23)
Other assets	(13)		(13)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	1,316		1,316
Deconsolidation of cash and cash equivalents			(7,844)
Net carrying value of assets and liabilities contributed			(220,172)
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	110,086		110,086
Derecognition of noncontrolling interest in joint venture			110,086
Preferred Stock | Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Cash and equity consideration				(1,679,830)
Preferred Stock | DFT Merger
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Issuance of preferred stock in connection with merger			0	0	219,250
Total Stockholders' Equity
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Issuance of preferred stock in connection with merger					211,897
Total Stockholders' Equity | DFT Merger
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Common stock and units issued			0	0	5,247,558
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	349,326	52,597	599,221	341,115	256,267
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on disposition of properties, net			(335,148)	(80,049)	(40,354)
Unrealized gain on equity investment			(46,492)	(1,631)	0
Impairment of investments in real estate			5,351	0	28,992
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures			(8,067)	(32,979)	(25,516)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures			44,293	21,905	31,747
Write-off due to early lease terminations			11,400	2,818	3,076
Depreciation and amortization of buildings and improvements, tenant improvements and acquired ground leases			809,472	770,275	594,996
Amortization of acquired in-place lease value and deferred leasing costs			354,302	416,621	247,468
Amortization of share-based compensation			34,905	27,159	20,521
Non-cash amortization of terminated swaps			1,047	1,120	1,204
(Recovery of) allowance for doubtful accounts			2,159	6,304	(776)
Amortization of deferred financing costs			13,362	11,537	10,634
Loss (gain) from early extinguishment of debt			39,157	1,568	(1,990)
Amortization of debt discount/premium			2,260	3,538	2,992
Amortization of acquired above-market leases and acquired below-market leases, net			17,097	26,530	1,770
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables			(8,435)	(21,318)	(73,717)
Deferred rent			(47,858)	(39,905)	(16,564)
Deferred leasing costs			(31,270)	(72,104)	(15,363)
Other assets			(15,599)	(9,145)	(1,800)
Accounts payable, operating lease liabilities and other accrued liabilities			68,155	39,192	(16,384)
Security deposits and prepaid rents			4,505	(27,227)	16,102
Net cash provided by operating activities			1,513,817	1,385,324	1,023,305
Cash flows from investing activities:
Improvements to investments in real estate			(1,436,902)	(1,325,162)	(1,150,619)
Ascenty acquisition			0	1,679,830	0
Deconsolidation of Ascenty cash			(97,081)	0	0
Proceeds from the joint venture transactions			1,494,881	0	0
Deposits paid for acquisitions of real estate			(18,075)	0	0
Cash assumed in business combinations			0	116,000	20,650
Acquisitions of real estate			(75,704)	(410,712)	(415,764)
Proceeds from sale of assets, net of sales costs			0	286,204	89,333
Distribution of debt proceeds from closing of joint venture			0	0	135,793
Contributions to unconsolidated joint ventures			(101,101)	(673)	(93,405)
Excess proceeds from forward contract settlement			0	0	63,956
Prepaid construction costs and other investments			(2,597)	(13,254)	0
Improvement advances to tenants			(66,078)	(48,502)	(50,857)
Collection of improvement advances to tenants			27,665	39,936	43,760
Net cash used in investing activities			(274,992)	(3,035,993)	(1,357,153)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments on global revolving credit facilities			(4,512,073)	(1,945,594)	(2,304,686)
Borrowings on unsecured term loans			0	467,922	0
Repayments on unsecured term loans			(375,000)	(674,332)	(371,520)
Borrowings on unsecured senior notes			2,869,240	1,169,006	2,265,060
Principal payments on unsecured senior notes			1,539,613	0	884,841
Borrowings on secured debt			0	600,000	104,000
Principal payments on secured debt			(688)	(594)	(105,546)
Repayments on other secured loans			0	0	50,000
Payment of loan fees and costs			(20,944)	(44,299)	(16,830)
Premium paid for early extinguishment of debt			(35,067)	0	0
Capital contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net			63,173	66,124	(8,593)
Taxes paid related to net settlement of stock-based compensation awards			0	(5,055)	0
General partner contributions			541,082	7,068	411,309
General partner distributions			(365,050)	0	(182,500)
Proceeds from forward swap contract			0	1,560	0
Payment of dividends to preferred stockholders			(74,990)	(81,316)	(68,802)
Payment of dividends to common stockholders and distributions to noncontrolling interests in operating partnership			(921,776)	(849,466)	(646,407)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities			(1,272,021)	1,757,269	321,200
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			(33,196)	106,600	(12,648)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			(4,773)	15,441	3,793
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			135,222	13,181	22,036
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	97,253	135,222	97,253	135,222	13,181
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized			312,848	288,643	211,549
Cash paid for income taxes			14,607	11,224	9,456
Operating cash paid used in the measurement of operating lease liabilities			89,980	0
Supplementary disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Limited Partner common units converted to General Partner common units			190,514	62,004	10,009
Accrual for additions to investments in real estate and tenant improvement advances included in accounts payable and accrued expenses			197,665	189,508	149,548
Assumption of capital lease obligations upon acquisition			0	75,030	0
Non-cash derecognition of capital lease obligation			0	17,294	0
Decrease to goodwill and deferred tax liability (classified within accounts payable and other accrued liabilities)			(9,436)	0
Allocation of purchase price of real estate/investment in partnership to:
Investments in real estate			74,903	410,712	366,105
Accounts receivables			76	0	0
Acquired above-market leases			0	0	21,043
Acquired in-place lease value and deferred leasing costs			725	0	30,111
Acquired below-market leases			0	0	1,495
Cash paid for acquisition of real estate			75,704	410,712	415,764
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Goodwill	3,363,070	4,348,007	3,363,070	4,348,007
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	20,625	93,056	20,625	93,056
Contribution of assets and liabilities to unconsolidated joint venture:
Net carrying value of assets and liabilities contributed to joint ventures			722,442	0	104,172
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	196,547	0	196,547	0	55,746
Deconsolidation of Ascenty and consolidated joint venture:
Investment in real estate	(15,517,684)	(15,079,726)	(15,517,684)	(15,079,726)
Account receivables	(305,501)	(299,621)	(305,501)	(299,621)
Acquired in-place lease value, deferred leasing costs and intangibles	(2,195,324)	(3,144,395)	(2,195,324)	(3,144,395)
Goodwill	(3,363,070)	(4,348,007)	(3,363,070)	(4,348,007)
Other assets	(184,561)	(185,239)	(184,561)	(185,239)
Secured debt	104,934	685,714	104,934	685,714
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	1,007,761	1,164,509	1,007,761	1,164,509
Non-controlling interest in consolidated joint venture	1,287,109	175,108	1,287,109	175,108
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(91,409)	(120,393)	(91,409)	(120,393)
Deconsolidation of cash and cash equivalents			(97,081)	0	0
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	196,547	0	196,547	0	55,746
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Global revolving credit facilities, net
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on global revolving credit facilities			3,099,685	3,046,245	2,180,556
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Cash and cash equivalents		116,000		116,000	20,650
Land	0	0	0	0	312,579
Buildings and improvements		425,000		425,000	3,677,497
Accounts receivables and other assets		30,000		30,000	10,978
Acquired above-market leases					162,333
Tenant relationship and acquired in-place lease value		495,000		495,000	1,582,385
Goodwill		982,667		982,667	2,592,181
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		90,000		90,000	248,259
Acquired below-market leases	0	0	0	0	185,543
Other working capital, net	0	0	0	0	22,640
Redeemable noncontrolling interests -- operating partnership			0	0	66,259
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures		25,000		25,000
Deconsolidation of Ascenty and consolidated joint venture:
Goodwill		(982,667)		(982,667)	(2,592,181)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018 | Global revolving credit facilities, net
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Long term debt	0	0	0	0	450,697
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018 | Unsecured term loans
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Long term debt	0	0	0	0	250,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018 | Unsecured Debt.
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Long term debt	0	0	0	0	886,831
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018 | Secured Debt.
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Long term debt	0	0	0	0	105,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018 | Acquired above-market leases
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Acquired above-market leases	0	0	0	0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | DFT Merger | Series C Preferred Stock
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Common stock and units issued					219,250
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Corporate Joint Venture
Cash flows from investing activities:
Deconsolidation of Ascenty cash			(7,844)	0
Contribution of assets and liabilities to unconsolidated joint venture:
Investments in real estate			571,648	0	119,106
Other assets			171,798	0	16,700
Other liabilities			(21,004)	0	(31,634)
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	110,086	0	110,086	0
Deconsolidation of Ascenty and consolidated joint venture:
Investment in real estate	(199,063)	0	(199,063)	0
Account receivables	(14,545)	0	(14,545)	0
Acquired in-place lease value, deferred leasing costs and intangibles	(23)	0	(23)	0
Other assets	(13)	0	(13)	0
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	1,316	0	1,316	0
Deconsolidation of cash and cash equivalents			(7,844)	0
Net carrying value of assets and liabilities contributed			220,172	0
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	110,086	0	110,086	0
Derecognition of noncontrolling interest in joint venture			(110,086)	0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Preferred Stock | Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Cash and equity consideration				(1,679,830)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Preferred Stock | Acquisitions Through December 31, 2018 | Series C Preferred Stock
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Issuance of preferred stock in connection with merger			0	0	219,250
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Total Stockholders' Equity | DFT Merger
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Common stock and units issued			0	0	5,247,558
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Units | DFT Merger
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Common stock and units issued				253,837	$ 676,566
Ascenty
Cash flows from investing activities:
Deconsolidation of Ascenty cash			(97,081)
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Goodwill	967,189		967,189
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures	25,000		25,000
Contribution of assets and liabilities to unconsolidated joint venture:
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	727,439		727,439
Deconsolidation of Ascenty and consolidated joint venture:
Investment in real estate	(362,951)		(362,951)
Account receivables	(24,977)		(24,977)
Acquired in-place lease value, deferred leasing costs and intangibles	(480,128)		(480,128)
Goodwill	(967,189)		(967,189)
Other assets	(31,099)		(31,099)
Secured debt	571,873		571,873
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	72,449		72,449
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(21,687)		(21,687)
Deconsolidation of cash and cash equivalents			(97,081)
Net carrying value of assets and liabilities contributed			(1,340,790)
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	727,439		727,439
Ascenty | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Cash flows from investing activities:
Deconsolidation of Ascenty cash			(97,081)	0
Allocation of purchase price to business combinations:
Goodwill	967,189	0	967,189	0
Contribution of assets and liabilities to unconsolidated joint venture:
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	727,439	0	727,439	0
Deconsolidation of Ascenty and consolidated joint venture:
Investment in real estate	(362,951)	0	(362,951)	0
Account receivables	(24,977)	0	(24,977)	0
Acquired in-place lease value, deferred leasing costs and intangibles	(480,128)	0	(480,128)	0
Goodwill	(967,189)	0	(967,189)	0
Other assets	(31,099)	0	(31,099)	0
Secured debt	571,873	0	571,873	0
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	72,449	0	72,449	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	21,687	0	21,687	0
Deconsolidation of cash and cash equivalents			(97,081)	0
Net carrying value of assets and liabilities contributed			1,340,790	0
Recognition of retained investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 727,439	$ 0	$ 727,439	$ 0