Investment in Loans (Schedule of 90 Days or More Past Due) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,536,714	$ 1,417,054
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	1,582,516	1,453,480
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		235,077	212,716
Loans, at fair value		235,948	213,031
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,236,923	1,150,303
Loans, at fair value		1,280,637	1,187,069
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		51,488	48,180
Loans, at fair value		52,705	47,525
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value			31,500
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		34,373	44,233
Loans, at fair value		34,265	44,052
Non-accrual status [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		54,588	64,509
Loans, at fair value		50,646	60,381
Non-accrual status [Member] | Consumer loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		900	1,015
Loans, at fair value		$ 665	$ 930

[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.