Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 72,302	[1]	$ 44,656
Restricted cash			425
Due from brokers	79,829	[1]	71,794
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	73,639		61,274
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	2,445,300	[1]	1,498,849
Other secured borrowings	150,334	[1]	114,100
Senior notes, net	85,298		85,035
Due to brokers	2,197		$ 5,553
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	72,302
Restricted cash	175
Due from brokers	79,829
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	2,445,300
Other secured borrowings	150,334
Senior notes, net	88,365
Due to brokers	2,197
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	72,302
Restricted cash	175
Due from brokers	79,829
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	2,445,300
Other secured borrowings	150,334
Senior notes, net	85,298
Due to brokers	$ 2,197

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s 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.