Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 126,783	$ 72,302
Due from brokers	[1]	63,991	79,829
Repurchase agreements, at fair value		47,041	73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	[1]	1,439,984	2,445,300
Other secured borrowings	[1]	142,674	150,334
Senior notes, net		85,495	85,298
Due to brokers		7,147	2,197
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		126,783	72,302
Restricted cash		175	175
Due from brokers		63,991	79,829
Repurchase agreements, at fair value		47,041	73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		1,439,984	2,445,300
Other secured borrowings		142,674	150,334
Senior notes, net		86,000	88,365
Due to brokers		7,147	2,197
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		126,783	72,302
Restricted cash		175	175
Due from brokers		63,991	79,829
Repurchase agreements, at fair value		47,041	73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		1,439,984	2,445,300
Other secured borrowings		142,674	150,334
Senior notes, net		85,495	85,298
Due to brokers		$ 7,147	$ 2,197

[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.