Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership) (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of units (units)	205,433,495	159,019,118
Percentage of total	96.00%	98.50%
Common stock conversion ratio	1
Common units held by third parties
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common units held by third parties (units)	6,908,584	1,141,814
Percentage of total	3.20%	0.70%
Incentive units held by employees and directors (see Note 13)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	1,574,377	1,333,849
Percentage of total	0.80%	0.80%
Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of units (units)	213,916,456	161,494,781
Percentage of total	100.00%	100.00%
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock conversion ratio	1
Redeemable noncontrolling interests – operating partnership | $	$ 975.7	$ 226.3