Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	$ 58,152	[1]
Earnings from investments in unconsolidated entities	1,797
Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	23,300
Jepson Holdings Limited
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	$ 7,000
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	30.10%
Longbridge Financial LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	49.70%
LendSure Mortgage Corp.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	45.00%
Elizon DB 2015-1 LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	6.10%
Minimum | Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	10.00%
Maximum | Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	49.60%

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.