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Investment in Gold - Investment in Gold (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2013 oz | Sep. 30, 2012 oz | Sep. 30, 2011 oz
Ounces of Gold: |  |  |  |  |
Opening balance | 42,803.6 |  | 39,928.9 |  | 41,813.1
Creations (excluding gold receivable at September 30, 2013 - 0, at September 30, 2012 - 0 and at September 30, 2011 - 0) | 4,944.8 |  | 8,225.8 |  | 11,463.0
Redemptions (excluding gold payable at September 30, 2013 - 115.9, at September 30, 2012 - 339.3 and at September 30, 2011 - 321.2) | (18,348.0) |  | (5,187.1) |  | (13,192.2)
Sales of gold | (156.0) |  | (164.0) |  | (155.0)
Closing balance | 29,244.4 |  | 42,803.6 |  | 39,928.9
Investment in Gold (lower of cost or market): |  |  |  |  |
Opening balance | $ 50,726,261 | [1] | $ 42,736,696 |  | $ 37,736,064
Creations (excluding gold receivable at September 30, 2013 - $0, at September 30, 2012 - $0, and at September 30, 2011 - $0) | 7,734,465 |  | 13,956,415 |  | 17,776,506
Redemptions (excluding gold payable at September 30, 2013 - $ 153,680, September 30, 2012 - $602,591, and at September 30, 2011 - $520,297) | (22,459,232) |  | (5,783,126) |  | (12,628,298)
Sales of gold | (188,717) |  | (183,724) |  | (147,576)
Closing balance | $ 35,812,777 | [1] | $ 50,726,261 | [1] | $ 42,736,696
[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.

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- Definition The cost of gold sold for the payment of the Trust's expenses which impacts the investment in gold asset. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gld_CostOfGoldSoldToPayExpensesImpactOnAssets
Namespace Prefix: | gld_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Ounces of gold received into the Trust's account in respect of creations. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gld_CreationsOuncesOfGold
Namespace Prefix: | gld_
Data Type: | num:massItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Value (lower of cost or market) of gold received into the Trust's account in respect of creations. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gld_CreationsValueOfGold
Namespace Prefix: | gld_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition Ounces of gold. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gld_OuncesOfGold
Namespace Prefix: | gld_
Data Type: | num:massItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition Ounces of gold paid out of the Trust's account in respect of redemptions. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gld_RedemptionsOuncesOfGold
Namespace Prefix: | gld_
Data Type: | num:massItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Value (lower of cost or market) of gold paid out of the Trust's account in respect of redemptions. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gld_RedemptionsValueOfGold
Namespace Prefix: | gld_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Ounces of gold sold by the Trust to meet the expenses of the Trust. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gld_SalesOfGoldOunces
Namespace Prefix: | gld_
Data Type: | num:massItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration