Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	$ 0	$ 21,687
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(344,350)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(11,412)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(538)
Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(355,762)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(538)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	10,608,100	10,858,210
Net current period change	(369,040)
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment due to deconsolidation of Ascenty	0	21,687
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(558)
Ending balance	17,176,540	10,982,499
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		(117,869)
Net current period change	(357,202)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Ending balance	(475,071)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		308
Net current period change	(11,838)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	(558)
Ending balance	(12,088)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		26,152
Net current period change	0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Ending balance	26,152
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ (91,409)
Ending balance	$ (461,007)