<DefinitionAndReference>
  <Element Id="slv_ProceedsFromSalesOfSilverToPayExpenses">
    <definition>Proceeds derived from the sale of silver during the period to pay the trust's expenses.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsDisclosureTextBlock">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_GainLossOnSalesOfSilverToPayExpenses">
    <definition>Realized gain or loss on sales of silver during the period to pay the trust's expenses.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlock">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_SponsorsFeesPayable">
    <definition>Carrying amount due to the sponsor of the trust as of the balance sheet date.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_RedeemableCapitalSharesIssued">
    <definition>Redeemable capital shares, issued</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_IncreaseDecreaseInSponsorsFeesPayable">
    <definition>The net change during the reporting period in fees due to the sponsor of the trust.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_ExpensesSponsorsFeesPaid">
    <definition>The amount of cash paid during the current period for fees due to the sponsor of the trust.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_TotalGainLossOnSalesAndDistributionsOfSilver">
    <definition>Total realized gain or loss on the sale and distribution of silver.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_Revenues">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies2009">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskDisclosureTextBlock">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_SponsorsFees">
    <definition>Fees paid to the sponsor of the trust.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_SilverBullionInventory">
    <definition>Carrying amount of silver bullion as of the balance sheet date.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_TotalLiabilitiesRedeemableCapitalSharesAndShareholdersEquityDeficit">
    <definition>Total of all Liabilities, Redeemable Capital Shares and Shareholder's Equity (Deficit).</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_NetIncomeLossPerShare">
    <definition>The amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of redeemable capital shares outstanding during the reporting period.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="dei_EntityFilerCategory">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_PayableForCapitalSharesRedeemed">
    <definition>Carrying amount of silver bullion payable for capital shares redeemed as of the balance sheet date.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_ShareholdersEquityDeficit">
    <definition>The cumulative amount of the reporting entity's undistributed earnings or deficit and adjustment to redeemable capital shares to redemption value.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_SilverBullionInventoryFairValue">
    <definition>Fair value of silver bullion.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_RedeemableCapitalSharesOutstanding">
    <definition>Redeemable capital shares, outstanding</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_RedeemableCapitalSharesParValue">
    <definition>Redeemable capital shares, par value</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_CarryingValueOfSilverDistributedForRedemptionOfSharesAtAverageCost">
    <definition>Carrying value of silver distributed for redemption of shares, at average cost</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_MarketValueRecovery">
    <definition>Income recognized for the reversal of the market value reserve during the period. Market value reserve is defined as an adjustment to the carrying value to equal the fair value of silver, when the carrying value is greater than the fair value.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_WeightedAverageSharesOutstanding">
    <definition>Number of shares determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that redeemable capital shares have been outstanding to the total time in that period.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_Assets">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_AdjustmentOfRedeemableCapitalSharesToRedemptionValue">
    <definition>Adjustment reflecting the change in fair value of redeemable capital shares during the period.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="dei_EntityRegistrantName">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_OperatingExpenses">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="dei_DocumentType">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_Liabilities">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="dei_EntityCentralIndexKey">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_OtherIncomeAndOtherExpenseDisclosureTextBlock">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsequentEventsTextBlock">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="dei_AmendmentFlag">
    <definition>No authoritative reference available.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_CostOfSilverSoldToPayExpenses">
    <definition>Cost of silver sold during the period to pay the trust's expenses.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_RedeemableCapitalShares">
    <definition>Dollar value of issued and outstanding shares</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_CarryingValueOfSilverReceivedForCreationOfShares">
    <definition>Carrying value of silver received for creation of shares</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
  <Element Id="slv_GainLossOnSilverDistributedForRedemptionOfShares">
    <definition>Realized gain or loss on silver distributed for the redemption of shares.</definition>
    <reference>No authoritative reference available.</reference>
  </Element>
</DefinitionAndReference>
