Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	$ 71,850				$ 71,850
Earnings from investments in unconsolidated entities		3,262	$ 2,796	$ 2,354	$ 1,797	10,209
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 28,500				$ 28,500
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		49.90%				49.90%
Jepson Holdings Limited
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 1,900				$ 1,900
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		13.40%				13.40%
Elizon DB 2015-1 LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership of Unconsolidated Entity		3.50%				3.50%
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		51.00%				51.00%

[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.