| Document and Entity Information | Feb. 14, 2020 |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001297996 |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Feb. 14, 2020 |
| Entity Registrant Name | DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, INC. |
| Entity Incorporation State Country Code | MD |
| Entity File Number | 001-32336 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 26-0081711 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | Four Embarcadero Center |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | Suite 3200 |
| Entity Address, City or Town | San Francisco |
| Entity Address, State or Province | CA |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 94111 |
| City Area Code | (415) |
| Local Phone Number | 738-6500 |
| Written Communications | true |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre Commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Common Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Common Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series C Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr C |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series G Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Series G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr G |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series I Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr I |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series J Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Series J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr J |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series K Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Series K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr K |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series L Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Series L Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | DLR Pr L |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
