Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 6,400,000		$ 12,300,000		$ (46,000,000)		$ 31,400,000
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $1.4 million, $0.9 million, $53.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively	18,500,000	[1]	3,600,000	[1]	66,100,000	[1]	11,200,000	[1]
Asset impairment	0		0		15,100,000		0
Depreciation and amortization expense:	22,500,000		18,800,000		70,900,000		57,500,000
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense					(4,100,000)		5,200,000
Payments in excess of expense for retirement plans					(700,000)		(1,600,000)
Share-based compensation expense					7,600,000		5,500,000
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards					(300,000)		0
Loss from equity method investment	1,500,000		2,300,000		3,000,000		2,500,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt					15,400,000		0
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries					0		0
Changes in working capital pertaining to operating activities:
Receivables					21,300,000		7,600,000
Inventories					(13,500,000)		29,900,000
Accounts payable					(33,100,000)		(2,200,000)
Accrued liabilities					(16,600,000)		(28,900,000)
Interest payable					(10,200,000)		(7,900,000)
Income taxes					3,700,000		(7,200,000)
Other					(4,500,000)		(2,200,000)
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities					74,100,000		100,800,000
Cash Flows from Continuing Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures					(102,500,000)		(87,200,000)
Acquisition of business					0		(28,600,000)
Equity method investment in VISA SunCoke Limited					0		(67,700,000)
Net cash used in continuing investing activities					(102,500,000)		(183,500,000)
Cash Flows from Continuing Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of SunCoke Energy Partners, L.P. units					90,500,000		237,800,000
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt					268,100,000		150,000,000
Repayment of long-term debt					(276,500,000)		(225,000,000)
Debt issuance costs					(5,800,000)		(6,900,000)
Proceeds from revolving facility					40,000,000		0
Repayment of revolving facility					(80,000,000)		0
Cash distribution to noncontrolling interests					(23,400,000)		(12,000,000)
Shares repurchased					(85,100,000)		(10,900,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options					1,900,000		900,000
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards					300,000		0
Net increase (decrease) in advances from affiliate					0		0
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities					(70,000,000)		133,900,000
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations					(98,400,000)		51,200,000
Cash flows from discontinued operations - operating activities					(15,700,000)		(13,200,000)
Cash flows from discontinued operations - investing activities					(4,700,000)		(8,400,000)
Cash flows from discontinued operations - financing activities							0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations					(20,400,000)		(21,600,000)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents					(118,800,000)		29,600,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period					233,600,000		239,200,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	114,800,000		268,800,000		114,800,000		268,800,000
Issuer
Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	(3,600,000)		6,200,000		(60,600,000)		14,000,000
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $1.4 million, $0.9 million, $53.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively	0		0		0		0
Asset impairment					0
Depreciation and amortization expense:	0		0		0		0
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense					0		0
Payments in excess of expense for retirement plans					0		0
Share-based compensation expense					7,600,000		5,500,000
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards					(300,000)
Loss from equity method investment	0		0		0		0
Loss on extinguishment of debt					0
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries					50,300,000		(42,000,000)
Changes in working capital pertaining to operating activities:
Receivables					0		(100,000)
Inventories					0		0
Accounts payable					0		(500,000)
Accrued liabilities					(400,000)		(100,000)
Interest payable					(10,500,000)		(9,700,000)
Income taxes					14,000,000		(14,400,000)
Other					3,200,000		8,400,000
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities					3,300,000		(38,900,000)
Cash Flows from Continuing Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures					0		0
Acquisition of business							0
Equity method investment in VISA SunCoke Limited							0
Net cash used in continuing investing activities					0		0
Cash Flows from Continuing Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of SunCoke Energy Partners, L.P. units					0		0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt					0		0
Repayment of long-term debt					(200,000)		0
Debt issuance costs					0		(1,600,000)
Proceeds from revolving facility					0		0
Repayment of revolving facility					0		0
Cash distribution to noncontrolling interests					0		0
Shares repurchased					(85,100,000)		(10,900,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options					1,900,000		900,000
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards					300,000
Net increase (decrease) in advances from affiliate					79,800,000		50,500,000
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities					(3,300,000)		38,900,000
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations					0		0
Cash flows from discontinued operations - operating activities					0		0
Cash flows from discontinued operations - investing activities					0		0
Cash flows from discontinued operations - financing activities							0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations					0		0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents					0		0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period					0		0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0		0		0		0
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	18,400,000		20,500,000		(37,100,000)		57,200,000
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $1.4 million, $0.9 million, $53.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively	18,500,000		3,600,000		66,100,000		11,200,000
Asset impairment					15,100,000
Depreciation and amortization expense:	5,800,000		6,400,000		18,000,000		18,400,000
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense					(4,100,000)		5,200,000
Payments in excess of expense for retirement plans					(700,000)		(1,500,000)
Share-based compensation expense					0		0
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards					0
Loss from equity method investment	0		0		0		0
Loss on extinguishment of debt					0
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries					(37,100,000)		(64,200,000)
Changes in working capital pertaining to operating activities:
Receivables					30,200,000		(1,000,000)
Inventories					(1,200,000)		14,000,000
Accounts payable					(6,400,000)		(2,500,000)
Accrued liabilities					(17,600,000)		(13,200,000)
Interest payable					1,700,000		(5,500,000)
Income taxes					(15,800,000)		17,700,000
Other					(4,300,000)		(1,800,000)
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities					6,800,000		34,000,000
Cash Flows from Continuing Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures					(8,400,000)		(12,000,000)
Acquisition of business							0
Equity method investment in VISA SunCoke Limited							0
Net cash used in continuing investing activities					(8,400,000)		(12,000,000)
Cash Flows from Continuing Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of SunCoke Energy Partners, L.P. units					0		0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt					0		0
Repayment of long-term debt					0		0
Debt issuance costs					0		0
Proceeds from revolving facility					0		0
Repayment of revolving facility					0		0
Cash distribution to noncontrolling interests					0		0
Shares repurchased					0		0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options					0		0
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards					0
Net increase (decrease) in advances from affiliate					(80,400,000)		(18,400,000)
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities					(80,400,000)		(18,400,000)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations					(82,000,000)		3,600,000
Cash flows from discontinued operations - operating activities					(15,700,000)		(13,200,000)
Cash flows from discontinued operations - investing activities					(4,700,000)		(8,400,000)
Cash flows from discontinued operations - financing activities							0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations					(20,400,000)		(21,600,000)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents					(102,400,000)		(18,000,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period					184,700,000		206,900,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	82,300,000		188,900,000		82,300,000		188,900,000
Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	21,800,000		22,100,000		38,500,000		66,400,000
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $1.4 million, $0.9 million, $53.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively	0		0		0		0
Asset impairment					0
Depreciation and amortization expense:	16,700,000		12,400,000		52,900,000		39,100,000
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense					0		0
Payments in excess of expense for retirement plans					0		(100,000)
Share-based compensation expense					0		0
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards					0
Loss from equity method investment	1,500,000		2,300,000		3,000,000		2,500,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt					15,400,000
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries					0		0
Changes in working capital pertaining to operating activities:
Receivables					(8,900,000)		8,700,000
Inventories					(12,300,000)		15,900,000
Accounts payable					(26,700,000)		800,000
Accrued liabilities					1,400,000		(15,600,000)
Interest payable					(1,400,000)		7,300,000
Income taxes					5,500,000		(10,500,000)
Other					(3,400,000)		(8,800,000)
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities					64,000,000		105,700,000
Cash Flows from Continuing Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures					(94,100,000)		(75,200,000)
Acquisition of business							(28,600,000)
Equity method investment in VISA SunCoke Limited							(67,700,000)
Net cash used in continuing investing activities					(94,100,000)		(171,500,000)
Cash Flows from Continuing Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of SunCoke Energy Partners, L.P. units					90,500,000		237,800,000
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt					268,100,000		150,000,000
Repayment of long-term debt					(276,300,000)		(225,000,000)
Debt issuance costs					(5,800,000)		(5,300,000)
Proceeds from revolving facility					40,000,000		0
Repayment of revolving facility					(80,000,000)		0
Cash distribution to noncontrolling interests					(23,400,000)		(12,000,000)
Shares repurchased					0		0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options					0		0
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards					0
Net increase (decrease) in advances from affiliate					600,000		(32,100,000)
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities					13,700,000		113,400,000
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations					(16,400,000)		47,600,000
Cash flows from discontinued operations - operating activities					0		0
Cash flows from discontinued operations - investing activities					0		0
Cash flows from discontinued operations - financing activities							0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations					0		0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents					(16,400,000)		47,600,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period					48,900,000		32,300,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	32,500,000		79,900,000		32,500,000		79,900,000
Combining and Consolidating Adjustments
Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	(30,200,000)		(36,500,000)		13,200,000		(106,200,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $1.4 million, $0.9 million, $53.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively	0		0		0		0
Asset impairment					0
Depreciation and amortization expense:	0		0		0		0
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense					0		0
Payments in excess of expense for retirement plans					0		0
Share-based compensation expense					0		0
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards					0
Loss from equity method investment	0		0		0		0
Loss on extinguishment of debt					0
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries					(13,200,000)		106,200,000
Changes in working capital pertaining to operating activities:
Receivables					0		0
Inventories					0		0
Accounts payable					0		0
Accrued liabilities					0		0
Interest payable					0		0
Income taxes					0		0
Other					0		0
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities					0		0
Cash Flows from Continuing Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures					0		0
Acquisition of business							0
Equity method investment in VISA SunCoke Limited							0
Net cash used in continuing investing activities					0		0
Cash Flows from Continuing Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of SunCoke Energy Partners, L.P. units					0		0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt					0		0
Repayment of long-term debt					0		0
Debt issuance costs					0		0
Proceeds from revolving facility					0		0
Repayment of revolving facility					0		0
Cash distribution to noncontrolling interests					0		0
Shares repurchased					0		0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options					0		0
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards					0
Net increase (decrease) in advances from affiliate					0		0
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities					0		0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations					0		0
Cash flows from discontinued operations - operating activities					0		0
Cash flows from discontinued operations - investing activities					0		0
Cash flows from discontinued operations - financing activities							0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations					0		0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents					0		0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period					0		0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

[1] Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 2013 2014 2013 (Dollars in millions)Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations $(3.2) $(0.1) $(6.1) $(1.7)Subtract: Depreciation and depletion from discontinued operations 0.3 4.4 9.5 13.0Interest from discontinued operations — — — —Income tax benefit from discontinued operations (1.4) (0.9) (53.9) (3.5)Asset and goodwill impairment from discontinued operations 16.4 — 104.4 —Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax $(18.5) $(3.6) $(66.1) $(11.2)