Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 111,647	[1]	$ 72,302	[1]	$ 44,656
Restricted cash					425
Due from brokers	63,147	[1]	79,829	[1]	71,794
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	38,640		73,639		61,274
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	1,496,931	[1]	2,445,300	[1]	1,498,849
Other secured borrowings	51,062	[1]	150,334	[1]	114,100
Senior notes, net	85,561		85,298		85,035
Due to brokers	5,059		2,197		$ 5,553
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	111,647		72,302
Restricted cash	175		175
Due from brokers	63,147		79,829
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	38,640		73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	1,496,931		2,445,300
Other secured borrowings	51,062		150,334
Senior notes, net	86,000		88,365
Due to brokers	5,059		2,197
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	111,647		72,302
Restricted cash	175		175
Due from brokers	63,147		79,829
Repurchase agreements, at fair value	38,640		73,639
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	1,496,931		2,445,300
Other secured borrowings	51,062		150,334
Senior notes, net	85,561		85,298
Due to brokers	$ 5,059		$ 2,197

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s 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.