Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net - Summary of Activity For Noncontrolling Interests in The Operating Partnership (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	8,843,155	10,580,884	8,489,095
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (shares)			2,338,874
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(607,832)	(1,815,945)	(601,822)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(461,912)	(338,515)	(110,070)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	147,570	319,279	357,956
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	128,049	120,368	128,986
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(2,763)	(22,916)	(22,135)
Ending balance (units)	8,046,267	8,843,155	10,580,884
Common Units
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	6,820,201	8,636,146	6,899,094
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (shares)			2,338,874
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(607,832)	(1,815,945)	(601,822)
Ending balance (units)	6,212,369	6,820,201	8,636,146
Incentive Units
Common and Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	2,022,954	1,944,738	1,590,001
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(461,912)	(338,515)	(110,070)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	147,570	319,279	357,956
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	128,049	120,368	128,986
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(2,763)	(22,916)	(22,135)
Ending balance (units)	1,833,898	2,022,954	1,944,738