Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings	Non-Controlling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 346,266	$ 12	$ (38,841)	$ 209,924	$ 2,861	$ 172,310
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		12,229	1,347
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	6,769					6,769
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(72)						(72)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,118)				(2,118)
Sale of common stock under employee option plans	29			29
Sale of common stock under employee option plans (in shares)		1
Net issuance of restricted shares (in shares)		9
Stock-based compensation	523			523
Non-controlling interest of acquired entities	500						500
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	351,897	12	(38,841)	210,476	743	179,079	428
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		12,239	1,347
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	20,693					20,693
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(449)						(449)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	203				203
Net issuance of restricted shares (in shares)		99
Stock-based compensation	1,487			1,487
Issuance of common stock for acquisition	60,825	2		60,823
Issuance of common stock for acquisition (in shares)		2,027
Non-controlling interest of acquired entities	157						157
Reversal of non-controlling interest upon disposition	(75)						(75)
Repurchase of common stock	(2,776)		(2,776)
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			(111)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	431,962	14	(41,617)	272,786	946	199,772	61
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		14,365	1,458
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	14,195					14,195
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(3,344)						(3,344)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	5,570				5,570
Net issuance of restricted shares (in shares)		143
Stock-based compensation	2,040			2,040
Non-controlling interest of acquired entities	2,896						2,896
Repurchase of common stock	(29,384)		(29,384)
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			(1,045)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 423,935	$ 14	$ (71,001)	$ 274,826	$ 6,516	$ 213,967	$ (387)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		14,508	2,503