Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Sep. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Common stock, par value per share (in USD per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized 750,000,000 750,000,000
Common stock, shares issued 455,900,032 483,624,120
Common stock, shares outstanding 455,900,032 483,624,120
Spirit Realty, L.P.    
General partners' capital, shares issued 3,988,218 3,988,218
General partners' capital, shares outstanding 3,988,218 3,988,218
Limited partners' capital, shares issued 451,911,814 479,635,902
Limited partners' capital, shares outstanding 451,911,814 479,635,902