Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	$ 70,435	[1]	$ 70,435	[1]
Earnings from investments in unconsolidated entities	2,796		6,947
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	$ 31,200		$ 31,200
Longbridge Financial LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	49.70%		49.70%
LendSure Mortgage Corp.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	45.00%		45.00%
Jepson Holdings Limited
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	$ 1,800		$ 1,800
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	30.10%		30.10%
Elizon AFG 2018-1 LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	12.00%		12.00%
Elizon DB 2015-1 LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	4.90%		4.90%
Minimum | Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	7.70%		7.70%
Maximum | Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity	55.00%		55.00%

[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.