Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of units (units)	208,900,758	206,425,656
Percentage of total	95.90%	95.10%
Common stock conversion ratio	1
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock conversion ratio	1
Redeemable noncontrolling interests - operating partnership	$ 997.6	$ 1,076.9
Ascenty
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Issuance of units in connection with Ascenty Acquisition (units)	0	2,338,874
Percentage of total	0.00%	1.10%
Common units held by third parties
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common units held by third parties (units)	6,820,201	6,297,272
Percentage of total	3.10%	2.90%
Incentive units held by employees and directors (see Note 14)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	2,022,954	1,944,738
Percentage of total	0.90%	0.90%
Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of units (units)	217,743,913	217,006,540
Percentage of total	100.00%	100.00%