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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
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