Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (Summary of Activity For Noncontrolling Interests in The Operating Partnership) (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	10,580,884	8,489,095	2,475,663
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (shares)		2,338,874	6,111,770
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(1,815,945)	(601,822)	(354,490)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(338,515)	(110,070)	(208,092)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	319,279	357,956	390,795
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	120,368	128,986	73,449
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(22,916)	(22,135)
Ending balance (units)	8,843,155	10,580,884	8,489,095
Common Units
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	8,636,146	6,899,094	1,141,814
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (shares)		2,338,874	6,111,770
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(1,815,945)	(601,822)	(354,490)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	0	0	0
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	0	0	0
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	0	0	0
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	0	0
Ending balance (units)	6,820,201	8,636,146	6,899,094
Incentive Units
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	1,944,738	1,590,001	1,333,849
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (shares)		0	0
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	0	0	0
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(338,515)	(110,070)	(208,092)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	319,279	357,956	390,795
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	120,368	128,986	73,449
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(22,916)	(22,135)
Ending balance (units)	2,022,954	1,944,738	1,590,001