Trust Expenses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Trust Expenses [Abstract]
Sponsor's fee, annualized accrual rate based on adjusted daily net asset value	0.25%
Legal fees, per year, maximum	$ 100,000

Annualized sponsor's fee rate accrued daily based on the adjusted net asset value of the trust, after adjustment date.

No definition available.

Name:	iau_SponsorsFeeAnnualizedAccrualRateBasedOnAdjustedDailyNetAssetValueAfterAdjustmentDate
Namespace Prefix:	iau_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration