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 (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Non-Controlling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 351,897	$ 12	$ (38,841)	$ 210,476	$ 743	$ 179,079	$ 428
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		(12,239,000)	(1,347,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	20,693					20,693
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(449)						(449)
Non-controlling interest of acquired entities	157						157
Other comprehensive income	203				203
Net issuance of restricted shares (in shares)		99,000
Stock-based compensation	1,487			1,487
Issuance of common stock for acquisition (in shares)		2,027,000
Issuance of common stock for acquisition	60,825	2		60,823
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)			(111,000)
Repurchases of common stock	(2,776)		(2,776)
Reversal of non-controlling interest upon disposition	(75)						(75)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	431,962	14	(41,617)	272,786	946	199,772	61
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		(14,365,000)	(1,458,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	14,195					14,195
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(3,344)						(3,344)
Non-controlling interest of acquired entities	2,896						2,896
Other comprehensive income	5,570				5,570
Net issuance of restricted shares (in shares)		143,000
Stock-based compensation	2,040			2,040
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)			(1,045,000)
Repurchases of common stock	(29,384)		(29,384)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	423,935	14	(71,001)	274,826	6,516	213,967	(387)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		(14,508,000)	(2,503,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	(23,807)					(23,807)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	44						44
Other comprehensive income	(25,246)				(25,246)
Net issuance of restricted shares (in shares)		9,000
Net issuance of restricted shares	(119)	1		(120)
Stock-based compensation	2,807			2,807
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)			(311,000)
Repurchases of common stock	(10,354)		(10,354)
Reverse/forward stock split (in shares)		(297,000)
Reverse/forward stock split	(10,070)	(1)		(10,069)
Contribution from non-controlling interest	328						328
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 357,518	$ 14	$ (81,355)	$ 267,444	$ (18,730)	$ 190,160	$ (15)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		(14,220,000)	(2,814,000)