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Significant accounting policies - Valuation of Gold (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010
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Valuation of Gold |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment in gold - average cost | $ 35,812,777 | [1] | $ 50,726,261 | [1] | $ 42,736,696 | $ 37,736,064
Unrealized gain on investment in gold | 2,979,854 |  | 25,292,947 |  |  |
Investment in gold - market value | $ 38,792,631 |  | $ 76,019,208 |  |  |
[1] | The market value of Investment in Gold at September 30, 2013 is $38,792,631 and at September 30, 2012 is $76,019,208.

X
- Definition The value (lower of cost or market) of gold received by the Trust in respect of the issuance of shares. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gld_InvestmentInGold
Namespace Prefix: | gld_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Market value of gold received by the Trust in respect of the issuance of shares. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gld_MarketValueOfInvestmentInGold
Namespace Prefix: | gld_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The accumulated unrealized gain or (loss) on the investment in gold received by the trust. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gld_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestmentInGold
Namespace Prefix: | gld_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | gld_ValuationOfGoldAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | gld_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration