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Investment in Gold - Investment in Gold (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012 oz	Sep. 30, 2011 oz	Sep. 30, 2010 oz
Investment in Gold (Textual) [Abstract]
Gold receivable ounces of gold	0.0	0.0	195.4
Gold payable ounces of gold	339.3	321.2	58.6
Gold receivable	$ 0	$ 0	$ 255,409
Gold payable	$ 602,591	$ 520,297	$ 76,622

X

- Definition

The total amount of gold due by the trust within one year of the balance sheet date in respect of the redemption of shares.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gld_GoldPayable
Namespace Prefix:	gld_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Ounces of gold payable by the Trust.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gld_GoldPayableOuncesOfGold
Namespace Prefix:	gld_
Data Type:	num:massItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Ounces of gold receivable by the Trust.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gld_GoldReceivableOuncesOfGold
Namespace Prefix:	gld_
Data Type:	num:massItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	gld_InvestmentInGoldTextualAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	gld_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The total amount due to the entity within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer) from outside sources, including trade accounts receivable, notes and loans receivable, as well as any other types of receivables, net of allowances established for the purpose of reducing such receivables to an amount that approximates their net realizable value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3,4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant