Equity and Capital - Schedule of Dividends and Distributions (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) $ / shares
Series C Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.65625
Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	1.31250
Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	1.46250
Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	1.30000
Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 4.64000
February 25 2021 | Series C Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units | $	$ 3,333
February 25 2021 | Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units | $	2,625
February 25 2021 | Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units | $	3,071
February 25 2021 | Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units | $	4,485
February 25 2021 | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units | $	$ 326,965
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.65625
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	1.31250
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	1.46250
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	1.30000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 4.64000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | February 25 2021 | Series C Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units | $	$ 3,333
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | February 25 2021 | Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units | $	2,625
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | February 25 2021 | Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units | $	3,071
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | February 25 2021 | Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units | $	4,485
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | February 25 2021 | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units | $	$ 336,041