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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
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