Consolidated VIEs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 72,302	[1]	$ 44,656
Restricted cash		175	[1]	425
Securities, at fair value(1)	[1]	2,449,941
Loans, at fair value	[1]	1,412,426
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	71,850
Real estate owned	[1]	30,584
Due from brokers		79,829	[1]	71,794
Investment related receivables	[1]	123,120
Other assets		7,563	[1]	15,536
Total Assets		4,338,217		3,971,499
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements		2,445,300	[1]	1,498,849
Investment related payables		66,133	[1]	488,411
Other secured borrowings		150,334	[1]	114,100
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		594,396	[1]	297,948
Accounts payable and accrued expenses				5,723
Interest payable	[1]	7,320
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[1]	7,753
Total Liabilities		3,469,518		3,376,329
Total Stockholders' Equity		829,265		563,833
Non-controlling interests		39,434	[1]	31,337
Total Equity		868,699		595,170	$ 620,961
Total Liabilities and Equity		4,338,217		$ 3,971,499
Primary Beneficiary
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		6,016
Restricted cash		175
Securities, at fair value(1)		47,923
Loans, at fair value		1,393,916
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		5,641
Real estate owned		30,584
Due from brokers		0
Investment related receivables		28,668
Other assets		6,191
Total Assets		1,519,114
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements		302,791
Investment related payables		3,275
Other secured borrowings		150,334
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		594,396
Interest payable		1,247
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		2,279
Total Liabilities		1,054,322
Total Stockholders' Equity		440,394
Non-controlling interests		24,400
Total Equity		464,794
Total Liabilities and Equity		$ 1,519,116

[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.