Investment in Loans (Schedule of Investments in Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		$ 1,441,017	$ 1,387,733
Fair Value	[1]	1,443,589	1,412,426
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		940,480	911,705
Fair Value		939,372	932,203
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		303,718	277,870
Fair Value		303,300	274,759
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		190,705	179,743
Fair Value		194,803	186,954
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		6,114	18,415
Fair Value		$ 6,114	$ 18,510

[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.