Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net - Schedule of Dividends (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands					12 Months Ended
	Sep. 14, 2017	Aug. 07, 2017	Aug. 24, 2015	Apr. 09, 2013	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Oct. 15, 2020	Sep. 08, 2020	Apr. 01, 2019
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Redemption price (in dollars per share)					$ 25.00
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit (in dollars per share)					25.00	$ 25.00
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit (in dollars per share)					25.00	$ 25.00
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share)	$ 1.65625				$ 1.65625
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 13,332	$ 13,332	$ 13,332
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					3,333
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							3,333
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							3,333
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					3,333		3,333
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							3,333
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,333
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,333
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					3,333	3,333
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Four | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 3,333
Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,333
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share)				$ 1.46875	$ 1.46875
Redemption price (in dollars per share)								$ 25.00
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit (in dollars per share)								$ 25.057118
Offering costs								$ 8,200
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 11,016	14,688	14,688
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					3,672
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							3,672
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							3,672
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					3,672		3,672
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							3,672
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,672
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,672
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 3,672	3,672
Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,672
Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share)					$ 1.84375
Redemption price (in dollars per share)										$ 25.00
Offering costs										$ 11,800
Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						6,730	26,920
Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							6,730
Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							6,730
Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							6,730
Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							6,730
Series H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						6,730
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share)			$ 1.58750		$ 1.58750
Redemption price (in dollars per share)									$ 25.00
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share/unit (in dollars per share)									$ 25.29545
Offering costs									$ 8,000
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 7,938	15,876	15,876
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					3,969
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							3,969
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							3,969
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 3,969		3,969
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							3,969
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,969
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,969
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,969
Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,969
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share)		$ 1.31250			$ 1.31250
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 10,500	10,500	10,500
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					2,625
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							2,625
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							2,625
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					2,625		2,625
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock							$ 2,625
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						2,625
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						2,625
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					2,625	2,625
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Four | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 2,625
Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						2,625
Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share)					$ 1.46250
Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 12,284	9,828
Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					3,071
Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					3,071
Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,686
Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					3,071	3,071
Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 3 Year Four | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 3,071
Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						3,071
Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share)					$ 1.30000
Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 17,940	4,036
Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					4,485
Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					4,485
Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					4,485
Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units | Installment 3 Year Four | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock					$ 4,485
Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, preferred stock						$ 4,036
Common Stock
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share)					$ 4.480	$ 4.320	$ 4.040
Common Stock | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, common stock					$ 1,213,921	$ 900,373	$ 832,667
Common Stock | Installment 3 Year One | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, common stock					295,630
Common Stock | Installment 1 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, common stock							208,015
Common Stock | Installment 2 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, common stock							208,071
Common Stock | Installment 3 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, common stock					301,005		208,166
Common Stock | Installment 4 Year Two | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, common stock							$ 208,415
Common Stock | Installment 1 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, common stock						224,802
Common Stock | Installment 2 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, common stock						224,895
Common Stock | Installment 3 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, common stock					303,006	225,188
Common Stock | Installment 3 Year Four | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, common stock					$ 314,280
Common Stock | Installment 4 Year Three | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends, common stock						$ 225,488