Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Stockholders’ equity:    
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0
Preferred stock, shares authorized 20,000,000 0
Preferred stock, shares issued 6,900,000 0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding 6,900,000 0
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share) $ 25 $ 0
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized 750,000,000 750,000,000
Common stock, shares issued 448,868,269 483,624,120
Common stock, shares outstanding 448,868,269 483,624,120
Spirit Realty, L.P.    
Partners' Capital    
General partners' common capital, units issued 3,988,218 3,988,218
General partners' common capital, units outstanding 3,988,218 3,988,218
Limited partners' common capital, units issued 444,880,051 479,635,902
Limited partners' common capital, units outstanding 444,880,051 479,635,902
Limited partners' preferred capital, units issued 6,900,000 0
Limited partners' preferred capital, units outstanding 6,900,000 0