Investment in Loans (Schedule of Investments in Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		$ 1,536,714	$ 1,417,054
Fair Value	[1],[2]	1,582,516	1,453,480
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		1,236,923	1,150,303
Fair Value		1,280,637	1,187,069
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		235,077	212,716
Fair Value		235,948	213,031
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		51,488	48,180
Fair Value		52,705	47,525
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		13,226	5,855
Fair Value		$ 13,226	$ 5,855

[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.

[2] Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.