Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings	Non-Controlling Interest
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 423,935	$ 14	$ (71,001)	$ 274,826	$ 6,516	$ 213,967	$ (387)
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		(14,508,000)	(2,503,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	13,134					13,134
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(337)						(337)
Other comprehensive income	5,820				5,820
Net issuance of restricted shares (in shares)		13,000
Net issuance of restricted shares	(13)	1		(14)
Stock-based compensation	1,683			1,683
Reverse stock split (in shares)	(295,659)	(297,000)
Reverse/forward stock split	(10,023)	(1)		(10,022)
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)			(176,000)
Repurchases of common stock	(5,681)		(5,681)
Contribution from non-controlling interest	328						328
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2014	$ 428,846	$ 14	$ (76,682)	$ 266,473	$ 12,336	$ 227,101	$ (396)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2014		14,224,000	2,679,000