Noncontrolling Interests - Change in Carrying Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands							3 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 01, 2021	Mar. 28, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Mar. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Change in the carrying value of all noncontrolling interests
Carrying value at beginning of the period							$ 76,826
Allocation of net income							602	$ 296
Carrying value at end of the period							$ 76,546
Realty Income, L.P.
Change in the carrying value of all noncontrolling interests
Number of partnership units issued (in units)	240,586	300,604	56,400	89,322	131,790	242,007
Number of partnership units outstanding (in units)							1,060,709		1,060,709
Noncontrolling interests
Change in the carrying value of all noncontrolling interests
Carrying value at beginning of the period							$ 76,826
Distributions							(882)
Allocation of net income							602
Carrying value at end of the period							76,546
Noncontrolling interests | Realty Income, L.P.
Change in the carrying value of all noncontrolling interests
Carrying value at beginning of the period							62,416
Distributions							(814)
Allocation of net income							544
Carrying value at end of the period							62,146
Noncontrolling interests | Other Noncontrolling Interests
Change in the carrying value of all noncontrolling interests
Carrying value at beginning of the period							14,410
Distributions							(68)
Allocation of net income							58
Carrying value at end of the period							$ 14,400