Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts and other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 3,609	$ 2,436
Accumulated amortization, deferred leasing costs	424,039	348,817
Accumulated amortization, deferred financing costs	43,292	34,739
Preferred Stock, par value	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, authorized	30,000,000
Common Stock, par value	$ 0.01
Common Stock, authorized	165,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	125,140,783	106,039,279
Common Stock, shares outstanding	125,140,783	106,039,279
Acquired Above-Market Lease Value [Member]
Accumulated amortization	69,425	58,099
Acquired Below-Market Lease Value [Member]
Accumulated amortization	137,276	115,456
Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	4.375%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	0	128,159
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	0	5,126,364
Preferred Stock, outstanding	0	5,126,364
Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	5.50%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	123,413	174,426
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	4,936,505	6,977,055
Preferred Stock, outstanding	4,936,505	6,977,055
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	7.00%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	287,500	287,500
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	11,500,000	11,500,000
Preferred Stock, outstanding	11,500,000	11,500,000
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	6.625%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	182,500	0
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	7,300,000	0
Preferred Stock, outstanding	7,300,000	0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Accounts and other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	3,609	2,436
Accumulated amortization, deferred leasing costs	424,039	348,817
Accumulated amortization, deferred financing costs	43,292	34,739
Common Units, issued	125,140,783	106,039,279
Common Units, outstanding	125,140,783	106,039,279
Limited Partners, common units	1,515,814	3,405,814
Limited Partners, profits interest units	937,208	1,054,473
Limited Partners, Class C units outstanding	398,378	475,843
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Acquired Above-Market Lease Value [Member]
Accumulated amortization	69,425	58,099
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Acquired Below-Market Lease Value [Member]
Accumulated amortization	137,276	115,456
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	4.375%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	0	128,159
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00
Preferred Units, issued	0	5,126,364
Preferred Units, outstanding	0	5,126,364
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	5.50%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	123,413	174,426
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	13,800,000
Preferred Units, issued	4,936,505	6,977,055
Preferred Units, outstanding	4,936,505	6,977,055
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	7.00%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	287,500	287,500
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00
Preferred Stock, issued	11,500,000
Preferred Units, issued	11,500,000	11,500,000
Preferred Units, outstanding	11,500,000	11,500,000
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member] | Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Preferred Stock, dividend rate	6.625%
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference value	$ 182,500	$ 0
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share/unit	$ 25.00
Preferred Units, issued	7,300,000	0
Preferred Units, outstanding	7,300,000	0