Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	31 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
Authorized common shares to be issued	6,000,000
Number of common shares issued	89,975	55,598	205,178
Amount raised from shares issued	$ 3.9	$ 2.2	$ 8.1

Amount of cash inflow from capital contributions to an entity associated with a dividend reinvestment plan and stock purchase plan.

No definition available.

Name:	o_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStockDividendReinvestmentPlanAndStockPurchasePlan
Namespace Prefix:	o_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration