Securitization Transactions (Schedule of CLO Securitization Transactions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)	[1]	$ 1,481,395	$ 2,449,941
CLO I Securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Notes Issued		461,840
Face Amount of Notes Initially Purchased		36,579
Aggregate Purchase Price of Notes Initially Purchased		25,622
CLO II Securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Notes Issued		452,800
Face Amount of Notes Initially Purchased		18,223
Aggregate Purchase Price of Notes Initially Purchased		16,621
CLO III Securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Notes Issued		407,100
Face Amount of Notes Initially Purchased		35,480
Aggregate Purchase Price of Notes Initially Purchased		32,394
CLO IV Securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Notes Issued		478,488
Face Amount of Notes Initially Purchased		12,700
Aggregate Purchase Price of Notes Initially Purchased		10,618
CLOs | Related Party CLO securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 14,100	$ 39,700

[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.