Acquisitions Pro Forma Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 182,591	$ 164,652
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	27,963	32,386
Net income	22,423	31,399
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$ 25,767	$ 30,900

Business Acquisitions, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent

No definition available.

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- Definition

The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect, for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463

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- Definition

The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

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- Definition

The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

+ References

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