Equity and Capital - Summary of Activity For Noncontrolling Interests in The Operating Partnership (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Common And Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	8,046,267	8,843,155	10,580,884
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(1,822,985)	(607,832)	(1,815,945)
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(679,346)	(461,912)	(338,515)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	238,618	147,570	319,279
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	151,093	128,049	120,368
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(1,876)	(2,763)	(22,916)
Ending balance (units)	5,931,771	8,046,267	8,843,155
Common Units
Common And Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	6,212,369	6,820,201	8,636,146
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(1,822,985)	(607,832)	(1,815,945)
Ending balance (units)	4,389,384	6,212,369	6,820,201
Incentive Units
Common And Incentive Unit Activity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (units)	1,833,898	2,022,954	1,944,738
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock (units)	(679,346)	(461,912)	(338,515)
Incentive units issued upon achievement of market performance condition (units)	238,618	147,570	319,279
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors (units)	151,093	128,049	120,368
Cancellation / forfeitures of incentive units held by employees and directors (units)	(1,876)	(2,763)	(22,916)
Ending balance (units)	1,542,387	1,833,898	2,022,954