Stockholders' Equity and Partners' Capital - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
 1 Months Ended 5 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 14 Months Ended 33 Months Ended
Oct. 03, 2017
Apr. 15, 2016
Nov. 30, 2016
Feb. 29, 2016
Apr. 30, 2015
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Aug. 31, 2017
Apr. 30, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Number of shares issued         23,000,000                
Dividend rate 6.00%                        
Liquidation value (in dollars per share) $ 25.00         $ 25 $ 25 $ 0   $ 25 $ 0    
Period for change of control provision             120 days            
Dividend rate, quarterly basis (in dollars per share) 0.375                        
Dividend rate, annual basis (in dollars per share) $ 1.50                        
Price per share issued (in dollars per share)         $ 11.85                
Gross proceeds from common stock offering         $ 272,600,000   $ 0 $ 446,613,000 $ 347,211,000        
Net proceeds from common stock offering         $ 268,700,000                
2017 Stock Repurchase Program                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount                       $ 250,000,000  
Stock repurchase program, period in force           18 months              
Stock repurchased during period (in shares)           9,502,670              
Stock repurchased, weighted average price (in dollars per share)           $ 8.67              
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount           $ 167,600,000 $ 167,600,000     $ 167,600,000      
Stock repurchased, fees acquired           $ 200,000              
2016 Stock Repurchase Program                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount       $ 200,000,000                  
Stock repurchase program, period in force       18 months                  
Stock repurchased during period (in shares)             26,337,295            
Stock repurchased, weighted average price (in dollars per share)             $ 7.59            
Stock repurchased, fees acquired             $ 500,000            
Spirit Realty, L.P.                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Gross proceeds from common stock offering             $ 0 $ 446,613,000 $ 347,211,000        
Limited Partner | Spirit Realty, L.P. | Limited Partner Series A Preferred Units                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Number of preferred units issued 6,900,000                        
Public Stock Offering                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Number of shares issued 6,900,000                        
Aggregate gross proceeds from stock offering $ 172,500,000                        
Aggregate net proceeds from stock offering $ 166,200,000                        
Over-Allotment Option                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Number of shares issued 900,000       3,000,000                
Over-Allotment Option | Equity Option                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Number of shares issued   4,500,000                      
Underwritten Public Offering                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Number of shares issued   34,500,000                      
Gross proceeds from common stock offering   $ 384,700,000                      
Net proceeds from common stock offering   $ 368,900,000                      
Underwritten Public Offering | Weighted Average                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Price per share issued (in dollars per share)   $ 11.15                      
ATM Program                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Number of shares issued                     27,300,000    
Gross proceeds from common stock offering                     $ 325,500,000    
Net proceeds from common stock offering                     320,000,000    
Shares authorized, amount                         $ 350,000,000
Payment of commissions and other issuance costs                     $ 5,400,000    
ATM Program | Weighted Average                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Share issued during the period (in dollars per share)                     $ 11.92    
ATM Program, November 2016                          
Class of Stock [Line Items]                          
Number of shares issued                   0      
Common stock authorized     $ 500,000,000