CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITAL - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)		208,900,758			208,900,758
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units					$ 92,553	$ 190,514	$ 149,547
Common units and share-based awards issued in connection with InterXion combination					7,013,220
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan					6,503	5,462	5,874
Units repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting					(8,570)		$ (5,055)
Issuance of preferred units, net of offering costs (units)							2,338,874
Amortization of unearned compensation on share-based awards					78,757	38,662	$ 32,456
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests					(3,086)	(25,937)	37,274
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions					97,914	63,173	66,124
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard	$ 18,446,336		$ 10,608,100		18,446,336	10,608,100	10,858,210
Deconsolidation of consolidated joint venture						(110,086)
Net (loss) income	$ 59,508	$ 228,698	$ 349,326	$ 120,997	362,730	599,221	341,115
Net income (loss)					367,147	598,849	340,640
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments					230,340	45,662	(11,736)
(Decrease) increase in other assets related to change in fair value of interest rate swaps					(12,425)	(9,232)	8,197
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps					8,294
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps					$ 8,294	$ (7,446)	(3,969)
Ending balance (units)	280,289,726		208,900,758		280,289,726	208,900,758
Interest Rate Swap
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
(Decrease) increase in other assets related to change in fair value of interest rate swaps						$ (9,232)	8,197
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps					$ (12,425)
Ascenty Acquisition
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common units in connection with business combinations							278,837
Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units						(365,050)
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units					(250,000)
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units					(250,000)
Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of preferred units, net of offering costs						203,264
Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of preferred units, net of offering costs						334,886
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Joint Ventures
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests						(23,878)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions					97,914	63,173	66,124
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard	$ 119,659		$ 20,625		119,659	20,625	93,056
Deconsolidation of consolidated joint venture						(110,086)
Net income (loss)					1,120	(1,640)	(311)
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Joint Ventures | Ascenty Acquisition
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common units in connection with business combinations							25,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		10,608,100		10,858,210	10,608,100	10,858,210	11,049,450
Common units and share-based awards issued in connection with InterXion combination					7,013,220
Common unit offering costs						2,530	1,194
Issuance of common unit, net of offering costs					1,888,526
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan					6,503	5,462
Units repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting					(7,320)		(5,055)
Amortization of unearned compensation on share-based awards					77,507	38,662	32,456
Adjustment to redeemable partnership units					3,086
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests						(25,937)	37,274
Distributions					(1,251,848)	(1,013,469)	(946,991)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions					97,914	63,173	66,124
Deconsolidation of consolidated joint venture						(110,086)
Net (loss) income	59,508	228,698	349,326	120,997	362,730	599,221	341,115
Net income (loss)					(290,611)	598,849	340,640
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments					(230,340)	45,662	(11,736)
(Decrease) increase in other assets related to change in fair value of interest rate swaps					(12,425)	(9,232)	8,197
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps					(8,294)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps					8,294	(7,446)	(3,969)
Ending balance	18,446,336		10,608,100		18,446,336	10,608,100	10,858,210
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Interest Rate Swap
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps					12,425
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Ascenty Acquisition
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common units in connection with business combinations							278,837
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units						(365,050)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units					(250,000)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units					(250,000)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of preferred units, net of offering costs						203,264
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of preferred units, net of offering costs						334,886
Redeemable Interests | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		41,465			41,465
Adjustment to redeemable partnership units					(3,086)
Distributions					(700)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions					2,089
Net income (loss)					4,417
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments					(488)
Ending balance	42,011		41,465		42,011	41,465
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(91,409)		(120,393)	(91,409)	(120,393)	(112,885)
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments					(230,340)	45,662	(11,736)
(Decrease) increase in other assets related to change in fair value of interest rate swaps						(9,232)	8,197
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps					(8,294)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps						(7,446)	(3,969)
Ending balance	134,800		(91,409)		134,800	(91,409)	(120,393)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Interest Rate Swap
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps					12,425
Total Partners' Capital | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		10,587,475			10,587,475
Common units and share-based awards issued in connection with InterXion combination					7,013,220
Issuance of common unit, net of offering costs					1,888,526
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan					6,503
Units repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting					(7,320)
Amortization of unearned compensation on share-based awards					77,507
Adjustment to redeemable partnership units					3,086
Distributions					(1,251,848)
Net income (loss)					(289,491)
Other comprehensive income (loss)-foreign currency translation adjustments					(230,340)
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps					(8,294)
Ending balance	18,326,677		10,587,475		18,326,677	10,587,475
Total Partners' Capital | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Interest Rate Swap
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income-fair value of interest rate swaps					12,425
Total Partners' Capital | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units					(250,000)
Total Partners' Capital | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units					(250,000)
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Joint Ventures | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		20,625		93,056	20,625	93,056	2,243
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests						(23,878)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures, net of distributions					97,914	63,173	66,124
Deconsolidation of consolidated joint venture						(110,086)
Net income (loss)					(1,120)	(1,640)	(311)
Ending balance	119,659		20,625		119,659	20,625	93,056
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Joint Ventures | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Ascenty Acquisition
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common units in connection with business combinations							25,000
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests -- Operating Partnership | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		41,465		15,832	41,465	15,832	53,902
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests						25,937	(37,274)
Distributions						(676)	(1,271)
Net income (loss)						372	475
Ending balance			41,465			41,465	15,832
General Partner | Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 1,434,420		$ 1,249,560	$ 1,434,420	$ 1,249,560	$ 1,249,560
Beginning balance (units)		58,250,000		50,650,000	58,250,000	50,650,000	50,650,000
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan							$ 5,874
Distributions						$ (74,990)	(81,316)
Net income (loss)						74,990	81,316
Ending balance	$ 950,940		$ 1,434,420		$ 950,940	$ 1,434,420	$ 1,249,560
Ending balance (units)	38,250,000		58,250,000		38,250,000	58,250,000	50,650,000
General Partner | Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units						$ (353,290)
Redemption of preferred units (in units)						(14,600,000)
General Partner | Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units					$ (241,468)
Redemption of preferred units (in units)					(10,000,000)
General Partner | Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units					$ (242,012)
Redemption of preferred units (in units)					(10,000,000)
General Partner | Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of preferred units, net of offering costs						$ 203,264
Issuance of preferred units, net of offering costs (units)						8,400,000
General Partner | Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of preferred units, net of offering costs						$ 334,886
Issuance of preferred units, net of offering costs (units)						13,800,000
General Partner | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 8,532,814		$ 8,724,731	$ 8,532,814	$ 8,724,731	$ 9,207,953
Beginning balance (units)		208,900,758		206,425,656	208,900,758	206,425,656	205,470,300
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units					$ 92,553	$ 190,514	$ 62,004
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)					1,070,014	2,154,460	711,892
Common units and share-based awards issued in connection with InterXion combination					$ 7,013,220
Common units and share-based awards issued in connection with InterXion combination (in shares)					54,487,997
Issuance of unvested restricted stock, net of forfeitures (units)						256,868	220,765
Common unit offering costs						$ 2,530	$ 1,194
Issuance of common unit, net of offering costs					$ 1,888,526
Issuance of common units, net of offering costs (in units)					15,920,893
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan					$ 6,503	$ 5,462	$ 5,874
Units issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan (units)					58,136	63,774	69,532
Units repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting					$ (7,320)		$ (5,055)
Shares repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting (shares)							(46,833)
Units repurchased and retired to satisfy tax withholding upon vesting (units)							(46,833)
Vesting of restricted common units, net (units)					(148,072)
Amortization of unearned compensation on share-based awards					$ 77,507	$ 38,662	$ 32,456
Reclassification of vested share-based awards					17,611	(8,458)	(3,772)
Adjustment to redeemable partnership units					3,086
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests						(2,059)	1,596
Distributions					(1,214,701)	(900,201)	(833,364)
Net income (loss)					(279,862)	504,771	249,930
Ending balance	$ 16,631,747		$ 8,532,814		$ 16,631,747	$ 8,532,814	$ 8,724,731
Ending balance (units)	280,289,726		208,900,758		280,289,726	208,900,758	206,425,656
General Partner | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units						$ (11,760)
General Partner | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units					$ (8,532)
General Partner | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of preferred units					(7,988)
Limited Partners | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 711,650		$ 911,256	$ 711,650	$ 911,256	$ 702,579
Beginning balance (units)		8,843,155		10,580,884	8,843,155	10,580,884	8,489,095
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units					$ (92,553)	$ (190,514)	$ (62,004)
Conversion of limited partner common units to general partner common units (units)					(1,070,014)	2,154,460	711,892
Issuance of unvested restricted stock, net of forfeitures (units)						416,731
Issuance of common units, net of offering costs (in units)							464,807
Issuance of common units, net of forfeitures (units)					273,126
Reclassification of vested share-based awards					$ (17,611)	$ 8,458	$ 3,772
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interests							35,678
Distributions					(37,147)	(38,278)	(32,311)
Net income (loss)					(9,629)	20,728	9,705
Ending balance	$ 609,190		$ 711,650		$ 609,190	$ 711,650	$ 911,256
Ending balance (units)	8,046,267		8,843,155		8,046,267	8,843,155	10,580,884
Limited Partners | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Ascenty Acquisition
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common units in connection with business combinations							$ 253,837
Issuance of common units in connection with business combinations (in units)							2,338,874
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard			$ (6,318)			$ (6,318)	$ 5,915
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard			(6,318)			(6,318)	(5,915)
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment | General Partner | Common Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard			$ (6,318)			$ (6,318)	$ (5,915)