Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Percentage of income distributed (at least)	100.00%
Provision for income taxes	$ 38,047	$ 11,995	$ 2,084
Net deferred tax liability	737,277	143,365
Gross deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	164,294	63,280
Basis difference - real estate property	748,411	9,955
Basis difference - intangibles	2,368	1,071
Straight-line rent	1,121	1,404
Other - temporary differences	60,840	17,624
Total gross deferred income tax assets	977,034	93,334
Valuation allowance	(108,060)	(40,795)
Total deferred income tax assets, net of valuation allowance	868,974	52,539
Gross deferred income tax liabilities:
Basis difference - real estate property	1,338,612	162,095
Basis difference - equity investments	4,000	4,000
Basis difference - intangibles	246,950	1,547
Straight-line rent	6,884	8,044
Other - temporary differences	9,805	20,218
Total gross deferred income tax liabilities	1,606,251	195,904
Federal
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	0	0	0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	38,047	$ 11,995	$ 2,084
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Federal
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	$ 0