Investment in Loans (Schedule of Investments in Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		$ 1,414,410	$ 1,387,733
Fair Value	[1]	1,442,612	1,412,426
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		1,004,980	911,705
Fair Value		1,030,709	932,203
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		252,305	277,870
Fair Value		252,231	274,759
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		150,062	179,743
Fair Value		152,609	186,954
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		7,063	18,415
Fair Value		$ 7,063	$ 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.