Cover Page
| Cover Page | Jan. 08, 2020 |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 3200 |
| Entity Address, City or Town | San Francisco |
| Entity Address, State or Province | CA |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001297996 |
| Document Period End Date | Jan. 8, 2020 |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Entity Registrant Name | DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, INC. |
| City Area Code | 415 |
| Local Phone Number | 738-6500 |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Written Communications | false |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 94111 |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | MD |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Entity File Number | 001-32336 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 26-0081711 |
| Series K Preferred Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr K |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series J Preferred Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr J |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series I Preferred Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr I |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series G Preferred Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr G |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series C Preferred Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr C |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Common Stock | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series L Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr L |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Digital Realty Trust L.P. | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Entity Registrant Name | DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, L.P. |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | MD |
| Entity File Number | 000-54023 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 20-2402955 |