Investment in Loans Investment in Loans (Schedule of Corporate Loans) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 1,230,004
Loans, at fair value	1,225,843	[1]
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	15,790
Loans, at fair value	$ 15,790
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon	4.25%
Weighted average life	5 years 128 days
Weighted Average | Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon	17.53%
Weighted average life	1 year 190 days

[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.