Consolidated VIEs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2019		Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 33,251	[1]			$ 44,656
Restricted cash		175	[1]			425
Loans, at fair value	[1]	1,225,843
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	70,435
Real estate owned	[1]	44,423
Due from brokers		66,162	[1]			71,794
Investment related receivables	[1]	258,608
Other assets		3,319	[1]			15,536
Total Assets		3,627,358				3,971,499
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements		2,056,422	[1]			1,498,849
Investment related payables		200,745	[1]			488,411
Other secured borrowings		91,151	[1]			114,100
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		438,629	[1]			297,948
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		4,579	[1]			5,723
Interest payable	[1]	6,135
Other liabilities		264	[1]			424
Total Liabilities		2,958,391				3,376,329
Total Stockholders' Equity		635,446				563,833
Non-controlling interests		33,521	[1]			31,337
Total Equity		668,967		$ 593,114	$ 592,434	595,170	$ 616,678	$ 613,275	$ 620,961
Total Liabilities and Equity		3,627,358				$ 3,971,499
Primary Beneficiary
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		6,116
Restricted cash		175
Loans, at fair value		1,210,053
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		7,701
Real estate owned		44,423
Due from brokers		191
Investment related receivables		27,517
Other assets		2,001
Total Assets		1,298,177
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements		403,784
Investment related payables		241
Other secured borrowings		91,151
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		438,629
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		1,216
Interest payable		703
Other liabilities		264
Total Liabilities		935,988
Total Stockholders' Equity		342,800
Non-controlling interests		19,389
Total Equity		362,189
Total Liabilities and Equity		$ 1,298,177

[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.