Equity and Capital - Schedule of Dividends and Distributions (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($) $ / shares
Series C Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 3,333
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.65625
Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 5,250
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.31250
Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 6,142
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.46250
Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 8,970
Preferred stock dividend per share amount (in dollars per share/unit) | $ / shares	$ 1.30000
Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 655,244
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
May 12 2021 | Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	2,625
May 12 2021 | Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	3,071
May 12 2021 | Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	4,485
May 12 2021 | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	328,279
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Series C Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 3,333
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]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 5,250
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]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 6,142
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]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 8,970
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]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 672,584
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
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | May 12 2021 | Series J Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	2,625
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | May 12 2021 | Series K Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	3,071
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | May 12 2021 | Series L Preferred Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	4,485
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | May 12 2021 | Common Units
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred units	$ 336,543