Other Assets - Other Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Assets [Abstract]
Investments accounted for at fair value excluded from equity-method investments	$ 7,780	$ 6,590
Investments in qualified affordable housing projects	$ 654	$ 581

This item represents investments where the firm has significant influence over the investee that are accounted for at fair value under the fair value option.

No definition available.

Name:	gs_EquityMethodInvestmentsAtFairValueUnderFairValueOption
Namespace Prefix:	gs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant