Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 01, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	REALTY INCOME CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000726728
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 5.5
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		178,921,596
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY