2.0.0.10 false Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) 0130 - Statement - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) true false In Thousands false false 1 usd $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 2 usd $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 3 usd $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 4 usd $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 3 INCREASE / DECREASE IN CASH FROM OPERATIONS: 1 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false The net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities include all transactions and events that are not defined as investing or financing activities. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Cash flows from operating activities are generally the cash effects of transactions and other events that enter into the determination of net income. false 4 Cash proceeds received from sales of gold 2 us-gaap_ProceedsFromCustomers us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 true true false false 37685000 37685 false false false 2 true true false false 23869000 23869 false false false 3 true true false false 74973000 74973 false false false 4 true true false false 42721000 42721 false false false Cash receipts from customers during the current period which are usually for sales of goods and services. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 27 false 5 Cash expenses paid 2 us-gaap_PaymentsForOperatingActivities us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -37685000 -37685 false false false 2 false true false false -23869000 -23869 false false false 3 false true false false -74973000 -74973 false false false 4 false true false false -42721000 -42721 false false false Total amount of cash paid for operating activities during the current period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 27 true 6 (Decrease) / Increase in cash resulting from operations 2 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 0 0 false false false 2 false true false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 0 0 false false false 4 false true false false 0 0 false false false The net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value that are not defined as investing or financing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 26 false 7 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 2 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue us-gaap true debit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false true false false periodstartlabel false 1 false true false false 0 0 false false false 2 false true false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 0 0 false false false 4 false true false false 0 0 false false false Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits should not be reported as cash and cash equivalents. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7, 26 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 8, 9 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 1 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 false 8 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 2 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue us-gaap true debit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false true false periodendlabel false 1 false true false false 0 0 false false false 2 false true false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 0 0 false false false 4 false true false false 0 0 false false false Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits should not be reported as cash and cash equivalents. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7, 26 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 8, 9 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 1 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 false 9 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 1 us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false Designated to encapsulate the entire footnote disclosure that gives information on the supplemental cash flow activities for noncash (or part noncash) transactions for the period. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. false 10 Value of gold received for creation of shares - net of gold receivable 2 us-gaap_FairValueOfAssetsAcquired us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 904330000 904330 false false false 2 false true false false 10235748000 10235748 false false false 3 false true false false 3197937000 3197937 false false false 4 false true false false 12021545000 12021545 false false false The fair value of assets acquired in noncash investing or financing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 32 true 11 Value of gold distributed for redemption of Shares 2 gld_ValueOfGoldDistributedForRedemptionOfShares gld false credit duration monetary Value (lower of cost or market) of gold distributed for redemption of shares. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 882666000 882666 false false false 2 false true false false 7823000 7823 false false false 3 false true false false 1540794000 1540794 false false false 4 false true false false 928233000 928233 false false false Value (lower of cost or market) of gold distributed for redemption of shares. No authoritative reference available. true 12 RECONCILIATION OF NET GAIN/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 1 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false Cash generated by or used in operating activities of continuing operations; excludes cash flows from discontinued operations. false 13 Net Gain/(Loss) from Operations 2 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 286007000 286007 false false false 2 false true false false -22007000 -22007 false false false 3 false true false false 501661000 501661 false false false 4 false true false false 34797000 34797 false false false The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A1, A4, A5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(1) false 14 Adjustments to reconcile net gain to net cash provided by operating activities 2 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 15 Increase in investment in gold 3 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -25125000 -25125 false false false 2 false true false false -10344571000 -10344571 false false false 3 false true false false -1639868000 -1639868 false false false 4 false true false false -11953378000 -11953378 false false false The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate value of all inventory held by the reporting entity, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 false 16 (Increase)/Decrease in gold receivable 3 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -153197000 -153197 false false false 2 false true false false 64095000 64095 false false false 3 false true false false -146585000 -146585 false false false 4 false true false false 825121000 825121 false false false The net change during the reporting period in the total amount due within one year (or one operating cycle) from all parties, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 false 17 Increase in liabilities 3 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 1431000 1431 false false false 2 false true false false 3412000 3412 false false false 3 false true false false 3881000 3881 false false false 4 false true false false 4115000 4115 false false false The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of obligations and expenses incurred but not paid. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 false 18 Increase/(decrease) in redeemable Shares 3 gld_IncreaseDecreaseInRedeemableSharesAbstract gld false na duration string Increase/(decrease) in redeemable shares. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false Increase/(decrease) in redeemable shares. false 19 Creations 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false false 1 false true false false 1088652000 1088652 false false false 2 false true false false 10308401000 10308401 false false false 3 false true false false 3382259000 3382259 false false false 4 false true false false 12094198000 12094198 false false false The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a false 20 Redemptions 4 us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -1197768000 -1197768 false false false 2 false true false false -9330000 -9330 false false false 3 false true false false -2101348000 -2101348 false false false 4 false true false false -1004853000 -1004853 false false false The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph a true 21 Net cash provided by operating activities 2 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 true true false false 0 0 false false false 2 true true false false 0 0 false false false 3 true true false false 0 0 false false false 4 true true false false 0 0 false false false The net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value that are not defined as investing or financing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 26 true false 4 19 false Thousands UnKnown UnKnown false true