Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Percentage of income distributed (at least)	100.00%
Provision for income taxes	$ 72,799	$ 38,047	$ 11,995
Net deferred tax liability	658,766	737,277
Gross deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	155,152	164,294
Basis difference - real estate property	9,078	20,297
Basis difference - intangibles	2,357	2,369
Straight-line rent	8,097	1,121
Other - temporary differences	175,766	60,840
Total gross deferred income tax assets	350,450	248,921
Valuation allowance	(130,893)	(108,060)
Total deferred income tax assets, net of valuation allowance	219,557	140,861
Gross deferred income tax liabilities:
Basis difference - real estate property	798,640	610,499
Basis difference - equity investments	3,543	4,000
Basis difference - intangibles	63,222	246,950
Straight-line rent	10,942	6,884
Other - temporary differences	1,976	9,805
Total gross deferred income tax liabilities	878,323	878,138
Federal
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	0	0	0
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	72,799	$ 38,047	$ 11,995
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Federal
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	$ 0