Fair Value [Line Items]

No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents total net unrealized gains or losses for the period relating to instruments still held at the reporting date, arising from assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	gs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents total net unrealized gains or losses for the period relating to instruments still held at the reporting date, arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings And Other Comprehensive Income

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Liability Net Realized Gain Loss Included In Earnings And Other Comprehensive Income

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gs_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityNetRealizedGainLossIncludedInEarningsAndOtherComprehensiveIncome
Namespace Prefix:	gs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents total net unrealized gains or losses for the period relating to instruments still held at the reporting date, arising from liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gs_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityNetUnrealizedGainLossIncludedInEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	gs_
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total contractual amount of unfunded commitments for which the fair value option was elected.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gs_FairValueOptionUnfundedLendingCommitmentsContractualAmount
Namespace Prefix:	gs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of unfunded commitments for which the fair value option was elected.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	gs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

This item represents the amount of gains and losses from fair value changes that are attributable to changes in the firm's own credit spreads on financial liabilities for which the fair value option was elected.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gs_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDebtValuationAdjustmentBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	gs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after tax of gain (loss) on debt valuation adjustments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gs_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDebtValuationAdjustmentNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	gs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Expected dividends to be paid to holders of the underlying shares or financial instruments (expressed as a percentage of the share or instrument's price).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period the instrument, asset or liability is expected to be outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) recognized on the income statement for financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the difference between the aggregate fair value and the aggregate unpaid principal balance of long-term debt instruments that have contractual principal amounts and for which the fair value option has been elected.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (d)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the estimated amount of gains or losses included in earnings during the period attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk arising from loans and other receivables held as assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14172-108612

+ Details

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Fair Value Option - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of unfunded commitments for which the fair value option was elected	$ 88		$ 88		$ 211
Total contractual amount of unfunded commitments for which the fair value option was elected	7,550		7,550		14,010
Net Gains (Losses) Attributable to the Impact of Changes in Instrument-Specific Credit Spreads on Loans and Lending Commitments For Which the Fair Value Option Was Elected	157	$ 165	270	$ 835
DVA on such financial liabilities included in "Debt valuation adjustment" within the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, net of tax	13		75
Long-term Other Secured Financings At Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Difference between aggregate contractual principal amount of long-term debt instruments for which the fair value option was elected and related fair value	500		500		362
Unsecured Long-Term Borrowings at Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Difference between aggregate contractual principal amount of long-term debt instruments for which the fair value option was elected and related fair value	740		$ 740		$ 1,120
Minimum [Member] \| Other Secured Financings at Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value Unobservable Inputs, Yield			0.50%		0.60%
Fair Value Unobservable Inputs, Duration			1 year 3 months 18 days		1 year 7 months 6 days
Maximum [Member] \| Other Secured Financings at Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value Unobservable Inputs, Yield			12.80%		10.00%
Fair Value Unobservable Inputs, Duration			8 years 1 month 6 days		8 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted Average [Member] \| Other Secured Financings at Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value Unobservable Inputs, Yield			3.10%		2.70%
Fair Value Unobservable Inputs, Duration			3 years		2 years 9 months 18 days
Other Financial Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Gains/(Losses) on liabilities	(329)	828	$ (411)	823
Realized Gains/(Losses) on liabilities	(23)	58	(76)	36
Net Unrealized Gains / (Losses)	(306)	770	(335)	787
DVA on such financial liabilities included in "Debt valuation adjustment" within the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income	13		116
DVA on such financial liabilities included in "Debt valuation adjustment" within the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, net of tax	13		75
Other Financial Liabilities [Member] \| Debt Valuation Adjustment [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Gains/(Losses) Included in condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income	(7)		(40)
Other Financial Liabilities [Member] \| Market making [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Gains/(Losses) Included in condensed consolidated statements of earnings	(302)	786	(332)	977
Other Financial Liabilities [Member] \| Other Principal Transactions [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Gains/(Losses) Included in condensed consolidated statements of earnings	(18)	46	(32)	(134)
Other Financial Liabilities [Member] \| Interest Expense [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Gains/(Losses) Included in condensed consolidated statements of earnings	(2)	(4)	(7)	(20)
Other Financial Liabilities [Member] \| Other Secured Financings at Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Unrealized Gains / (Losses)	(9)	64	(33)	84
Other Financial Liabilities [Member] \| Unsecured Long-Term Borrowings at Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Unrealized Gains / (Losses)	(88)	$ 155	21	292
Other Financial Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Unrealized Gains/(Losses) Relating to Instruments Still Held at Period-End	305		(334)	783
Other Financial Assets [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Net Unrealized Gains / (Losses)	$ 1		$ 1	$ (4)