Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (Summary of Activity For Noncontrolling Interests in The Operating Partnership) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 shares
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	8,843,155
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(529,110)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(398,399)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	126,845
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	126,933
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(2,763)
Ending balance (units)	8,166,661
Common Units
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	6,820,201
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(529,110)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	0
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	0
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	0
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	0
Ending balance (units)	6,291,091
Incentive Units
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	2,022,954
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	0
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(398,399)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	126,845
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	126,933
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(2,763)
Ending balance (units)	1,875,570