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Significant accounting policies - Gold Payable (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2011
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Gold Payable |  |  |
Gold payable | $ 153,680 | $ 602,591 | $ 520,297

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- 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

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