Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	For our consolidated subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the USD, we translate their financial statements into USD at the time we consolidate those subsidiaries’ financial statements. Generally, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting translation adjustments are included in 'Accumulated other comprehensive income' ("AOCI") in the consolidated balance sheets. Certain balance sheet items, primarily equity and capital-related accounts, are reflected at the historical exchange rate. Income statement accounts are translated using the average exchange rate for the period. We and certain of our consolidated subsidiaries have intercompany and third-party debt that is not denominated in our functional currency. When the debt is remeasured to the functional currency of the entity, a gain or loss can result. The resulting adjustment is reflected in 'Foreign currency and derivative (loss) gain, net' in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Realty Income and all other entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. We evaluate whether we have a controlling financial interest in an entity in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 810, Consolidation. Voting interest entities are entities considered to have sufficient equity at risk and which the equity holders have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. We consolidate voting interest entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, which we typically have through holding of a majority of the entity’s voting equity interests.
Principles of Consolidation, Variable Interest Entities	Variable interest entities ("VIEs") are entities that lack sufficient equity at risk or where the equity holders either do not have the obligation to absorb losses, do not have the right to receive residual returns, do not have the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities, or some combination of the above. A controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when an entity has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests, that provides the entity with (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. An entity that meets both conditions above is deemed the primary beneficiary and consolidates the VIE. We reassess our initial evaluation of whether an entity is a VIE when certain reconsideration events occur. We reassess our determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE on an ongoing basis based on current facts and circumstances.The portion of a consolidated entity not owned by us is recorded as a noncontrolling interest. Noncontrolling interests are reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as a component of equity. Noncontrolling interests that were created or assumed as part of a business combination or asset acquisition were recognized at fair value as of the date of the transaction
Reclassification	Reclassification. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Value-added tax receivable is included in 'Other assets, net', in the consolidated balance sheets. Previously, this was categorized as 'Accounts receivable, net' in the consolidated balance sheets.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting. We report our results in a single reportable segment, which reflects how our chief operating decision maker allocates resources and assesses our performance.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. We believe we have qualified and continue to qualify as a REIT. Under the REIT operating structure, we are permitted to deduct dividends paid to our stockholders in determining our taxable income. Assuming our dividends equal or exceed our taxable net income in the U.S., we generally will not be required to pay U.S. income taxes on such income. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, except for federal income taxes of our taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRS"). A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that is subject to federal, state and local income taxes, as applicable. Our use of TRS entities enables us to engage in certain business activities while complying with the REIT qualification requirements and to retain any income generated by these businesses for reinvestment without the requirement to distribute those earnings. For our international territories, we are liable for taxes in the United Kingdom and Spain. Accordingly, provisions have been made for U.K. and Spain income taxes. Therefore, the income taxes recorded on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income represent amounts accrued or paid by Realty Income and its subsidiaries for U.S. income taxes on our TRS entities, city and state income and franchise taxes, and income taxes for the U.K. and Spain. Earnings and profits that determine the taxability of distributions to stockholders differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes primarily due to differences in the estimated useful lives and methods used to compute depreciation and the carrying value (basis) of the investments in properties for tax purposes, among other things. We regularly analyze our various international, federal and state filing positions and only recognize the income tax effect in our financial statements when certain criteria regarding uncertain income tax positions have been met. We believe that our income tax positions would more likely than not be sustained upon examination by all relevant taxing authorities. Therefore, no provisions for uncertain tax positions have been recorded on our consolidated financial statements.
Lease Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable	Lease Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable. The majority of our leases are accounted for as operating leases. Under this method, leases that have fixed and determinable rent increases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Any rental revenue contingent upon our client’s sales, or percentage rent, is recognized only after our client exceeds their sales breakpoint. Rental increases based upon changes in the consumer price indexes are recognized only after the changes in the indexes have occurred and are then applied according to the lease agreements. Contractually obligated rental revenue from our clients for recoverable real estate taxes and operating expenses are included in contractually obligated reimbursements by our clients, a component of rental revenue, in the period when such costs are incurred. Taxes and operating expenses paid directly by our clients are recorded on a net basis. Other revenue includes certain property-related revenue not included in rental revenue and interest income recognized on financing receivables for certain leases with above-market terms. We assess the probability of collecting substantially all of the lease payments to which we are entitled under the original lease contract as required under Topic 842, Leases. We assess the collectability of our future lease payments based on an analysis of creditworthiness, economic trends and other facts and circumstances related to the applicable clients. If we conclude the collection of substantially all lease payments under a lease is less than probable, rental revenue recognized for that lease is limited to cash received going forward, existing operating lease receivables, including those related to straight-line rental revenue, must be written off as an adjustment to rental revenue, and no further operating lease receivables are recorded for that lease until such future determination is made that substantially all lease payments under that lease are now considered probable. If we subsequently conclude that the collection of substantially all lease payments under a lease is probable, a reversal of lease receivables previously written off is recognized.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk. There were no clients who accounted for more than more than 10% of our total revenue for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and 2022.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements. The Company reviewed all recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they were either not applicable or not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

For our consolidated subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the USD, we translate their financial statements into USD at the time we consolidate those subsidiaries’ financial statements. Generally, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting translation adjustments are included in 'Accumulated other comprehensive income' ("AOCI") in the consolidated balance sheets. Certain balance sheet items, primarily equity and capital-related accounts, are reflected at the historical exchange rate. Income statement accounts are translated using the average exchange rate for the period.

We and certain of our consolidated subsidiaries have intercompany and third-party debt that is not denominated in our functional currency. When the debt is remeasured to the functional currency of the entity, a gain or loss can result. The resulting adjustment is reflected in 'Foreign currency and derivative (loss) gain, net' in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Realty Income and all other entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. We evaluate whether we have a controlling financial interest in an entity in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 810, Consolidation.

Voting interest entities are entities considered to have sufficient equity at risk and which the equity holders have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. We consolidate voting interest entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, which we typically have through holding of a majority of the entity’s voting equity interests.

Principles of Consolidation, Variable Interest Entities

Variable interest entities ("VIEs") are entities that lack sufficient equity at risk or where the equity holders either do not have the obligation to absorb losses, do not have the right to receive residual returns, do not have the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities, or some combination of the above. A controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when an entity has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests, that provides the entity with (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. An entity that meets both conditions above is deemed the primary beneficiary and consolidates the VIE. We reassess our initial evaluation of whether an entity is a VIE when certain reconsideration events occur. We reassess our determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE on an ongoing basis based on current facts and circumstances.The portion of a consolidated entity not owned by us is recorded as a noncontrolling interest. Noncontrolling interests are reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as a component of equity. Noncontrolling interests that were created or assumed as part of a business combination or asset acquisition were recognized at fair value as of the date of the transaction

Reclassification

Reclassification. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Value-added tax receivable is included in 'Other assets, net', in the consolidated balance sheets. Previously, this was categorized as 'Accounts receivable, net' in the consolidated balance sheets.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting. We report our results in a single reportable segment, which reflects how our chief operating decision maker allocates resources and assesses our performance.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. We believe we have qualified and continue to qualify as a REIT. Under the REIT operating structure, we are permitted to deduct dividends paid to our stockholders in determining our taxable income. Assuming our dividends equal or exceed our taxable net income in the U.S., we generally will not be required to pay U.S. income taxes on such income. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, except for federal income taxes of our taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRS"). A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that is subject to federal, state and local income taxes, as applicable. Our use of TRS entities enables us to engage in certain business activities while complying with the REIT qualification requirements and to retain any income generated by these businesses for reinvestment without the requirement to distribute those earnings. For our international territories, we are liable for taxes in the United Kingdom and Spain. Accordingly, provisions have been made for U.K. and Spain income taxes. Therefore, the income taxes recorded on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income represent amounts accrued or paid by Realty Income and its subsidiaries for U.S. income taxes on our TRS entities, city and state income and franchise taxes, and income taxes for the U.K. and Spain.

Earnings and profits that determine the taxability of distributions to stockholders differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes primarily due to differences in the estimated useful lives and methods used to compute depreciation and the carrying value (basis) of the investments in properties for tax purposes, among other things.

We regularly analyze our various international, federal and state filing positions and only recognize the income tax effect in our financial statements when certain criteria regarding uncertain income tax positions have been met. We believe that our income tax positions would more likely than not be sustained upon examination by all relevant taxing authorities. Therefore, no provisions for uncertain tax positions have been recorded on our consolidated financial statements.

Lease Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

Lease Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable. The majority of our leases are accounted for as operating leases. Under this method, leases that have fixed and determinable rent increases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Any rental revenue contingent upon our client’s sales, or percentage rent, is recognized only after our client exceeds their sales breakpoint. Rental increases based upon changes in the consumer price indexes are recognized only after the changes in the indexes have occurred and are then applied according to the lease agreements. Contractually obligated rental revenue from our clients for recoverable real estate taxes and operating expenses are included in contractually obligated reimbursements by our clients, a component of rental revenue, in the period when such costs are incurred. Taxes and operating expenses paid directly by our clients are recorded on a net basis.

Other revenue includes certain property-related revenue not included in rental revenue and interest income recognized on financing receivables for certain leases with above-market terms.

We assess the probability of collecting substantially all of the lease payments to which we are entitled under the original lease contract as required under Topic 842, Leases. We assess the collectability of our future lease payments based on an analysis of creditworthiness, economic trends and other facts and circumstances related to the applicable clients. If we conclude the collection of substantially all lease payments under a lease is less than probable, rental revenue recognized for that lease is limited to cash received going forward, existing operating lease receivables, including those related to straight-line rental revenue, must be written off as an adjustment to rental revenue, and no further operating lease receivables are recorded for that lease until such future determination is made that substantially all lease payments under that lease are now considered probable. If we subsequently conclude that the collection of substantially all lease payments under a lease is probable, a reversal of lease receivables previously written off is recognized.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk. There were no clients who accounted for more than more than 10% of our total revenue for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and 2022.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. The Company reviewed all recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they were either not applicable or not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.