Revised Financials - Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common stock	$ 14	$ 14
Additional paid-in capital	267,965	267,444
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(14,275)	(15,206)
Retained earnings	179,386	186,636
Treasury stock, at cost	(81,355)	(81,355)
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity	351,735	357,533
Non-controlling interest	(378)	(15)
Total stockholders' equity	351,357	357,518
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets
Common stock		14
Additional paid-in capital		267,444
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(15,206)
Retained earnings		186,636
Treasury stock, at cost		(81,355)
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity		357,533
Non-controlling interest		(15)
Total stockholders' equity		357,518
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets | Previously Reported
Common stock		14
Additional paid-in capital		267,444
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(18,730)
Retained earnings		190,160
Treasury stock, at cost		(81,355)
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity		357,533
Non-controlling interest		(15)
Total stockholders' equity		357,518
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets | Adjustments
Common stock		0
Additional paid-in capital		0
Accumulated other comprehensive income		3,524
Retained earnings		(3,524)
Treasury stock, at cost		0
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity		0
Non-controlling interest		0
Total stockholders' equity		$ 0