Net Income (Loss) Per Share Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator of Basic and Diluted Net (Loss) Income Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerators:
Net income from continuing operations	$ 8,895	$ 3,047	$ 1,080	$ 3,369	$ 4	$ 4,865	$ 17,430	$ (120)	$ 16,391	$ 22,179	$ 68
Non-controlling interest									156	22	0
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.									16,547	22,201	68
Income (loss) from discontinued operations									(5,540)	(1,935)	6,629
Non-controlling interest									3,188	427	72
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.									(2,352)	(1,508)	6,701
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$ 7,344	$ 2,470	$ 1,071	$ 3,310	$ (77)	$ 5,349	$ 17,309	$ (1,888)	$ 14,195	$ 20,693	$ 6,769
Denominators:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)									12,584	12,110	10,882
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock-based awards (in Shares)									18	23	15
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)									12,602	12,133	10,897
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)									$ 1.31	$ 1.83	$ 0.01
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)									$ (0.19)	$ (0.12)	$ 0.62
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.23	$ 0.09	$ 0.26	$ 0.00	$ 0.37	$ 1.50	$ (0.01)	$ 1.13	$ 1.71	$ 0.62
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)									$ 1.31	$ 1.83	$ 0.01
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)									$ (0.19)	$ (0.12)	$ 0.61
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.23	$ 0.09	$ 0.26	$ 0.00	$ 0.37	$ 1.50	$ (0.01)	$ 1.13	$ 1.71	$ 0.62