Investment in Loans Investment in Loans (Schedule of Corporate Loans) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 1,387,733
Loans, at fair value	1,412,426	[1]
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	18,415
Loans, at fair value	$ 18,510
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon	4.23%
Weighted average life	5 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted Average | Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon	17.62%
Weighted average life	10 months 13 days

[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.