Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Jun. 30, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Stockholders’ equity:    
Preferred stock, par value (in USD per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized 20,000,000 20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued 6,900,000 6,900,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding 6,900,000 6,900,000
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 428,570,110 448,868,269
Common stock, shares outstanding 428,570,110 448,868,269
Spirit Realty, L.P.    
Partnership units    
General partners' capital, units issued 3,988,218 3,988,218
General partners' capital, units outstanding 3,988,218 3,988,218
Limited partners' preferred capital, units issued 6,900,000 6,900,000
Limited partners' preferred capital, units outstanding 6,900,000 6,900,000
Limited partners' capital, units issued 424,581,892 444,880,051
Limited partners' capital, units outstanding 424,581,892 444,880,051