Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted net (loss) income per share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Numerators:
Net income from continuing operations	$ 8,732	$ 1,080	$ 12,797	$ 4,449
Non-controlling interest	11	36	337	56
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	8,743	1,116	13,134	4,505
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	(194)	0	(589)
Non-controlling interest	0	149	0	465
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	0	(45)	0	(124)
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$ 8,743	$ 1,071	$ 13,134	$ 4,381
Denominators:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	11,895	12,718	11,938	12,796
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock-based awards (in Shares)	22	16	20	16
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	11,917	12,734	11,958	12,812
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.09	$ 1.10	$ 0.35
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.08	$ 1.10	$ 0.34
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.09	$ 1.10	$ 0.35
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.08	$ 1.10	$ 0.34