Securitization Transactions (Schedule of CLO Securitization Transactions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)	[1]	$ 1,451,420	$ 2,449,941
CLOs | Related Party CLO securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)		$ 13,800	$ 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.