2.2.0.25falsefalse40401 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$Duration_1_1_2011_To_3_31_2011http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000882095duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit14Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit15Standardhttp://www.gilead.com/2011-03-31yearsgild0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000882095duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit14Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2true0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsInStatementOfFinancialPositionFairValueAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfDerivativesus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse37100000003710000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse35500000003550000000falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate notional amount of all derivatives. The notional amount relates to a number of currency units, shares, bushels, pounds, or other units specified in a derivative instrument.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse4false0us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesNetBeforeTaxus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse-114600000-114600000falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2160000021600000falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of net unrealized gain or loss related to the change in fair value of foreign currency exchange rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent that the cash flow hedge is determined to be effective.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse23Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue