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.	11,951					11,951
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(99)						(99)
Other comprehensive income	4,164				4,164
Net issuance of restricted shares (in shares)		13,000
Net issuance of restricted shares	(13)	1		(14)
Stock-based compensation	2,305			2,305
Reverse/forward stock split (in shares)		(297,000)
Reverse/forward stock split	(10,071)	(1)		(10,070)
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)			(311,000)
Repurchases of common stock	(10,354)		(10,354)
Contribution from non-controlling interest	328						328
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 422,146	$ 14	$ (81,355)	$ 267,047	$ 10,680	$ 225,918	$ (158)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014		(14,224,000)	(2,814,000)