Expenses (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010
Expenses [Abstract]
Sponsor's fee, annualized accrual rate based on adjusted daily net asset value	0.50%
Legal fees, per year, maximum	$ 100,000

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

No definition available.

Name:	slv_SponsorSFeeAnnualizedAccrualRateBasedOnAdjustedDailyNetAssetValue
Namespace Prefix:	slv_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration