Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 134,695	$ 111,647
Due from brokers	[1]	76,396	63,147
Reverse repurchase agreements		160,412	38,640
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	[1]	1,916,749	1,496,931
Other secured borrowings	[1]	86,374	51,062
Senior notes, net		85,693	85,561
Due to brokers		2,130	5,059
Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member]
Liabilities:
Total net up-front payments received		800	(2,000)
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		134,695	111,647
Restricted cash		175	175
Due from brokers		76,396	63,147
Reverse repurchase agreements		160,412	38,640
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		1,916,749	1,496,931
Other secured borrowings		86,374	51,062
Senior notes, net		86,860	86,000
Due to brokers		2,130	5,059
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		134,695	111,647
Restricted cash		175	175
Due from brokers		76,396	63,147
Reverse repurchase agreements		160,412	38,640
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		1,916,749	1,496,931
Other secured borrowings		86,374	51,062
Senior notes, net		85,693	85,561
Due to brokers		$ 2,130	$ 5,059

[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.