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Significant accounting policies - Valuation of Gold (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Valuation of Gold
Investment in gold - average cost	$ 31,669,883	$ 35,812,777
Unrealized (loss)/gain on investment in gold	(603,341)	2,979,854
Investment in gold - market value	$ 31,066,542	$ 38,792,631

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- Definition

Cost Of Investment In Gold

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gld_CostOfInvestmentInGold
Namespace Prefix:	gld_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

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- 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

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- 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

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- Details

Name:	gld_ValuationOfGoldAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	gld_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration