Investment in Loans (Schedule of 90 Days or More Past Due) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 1,940,279	$ 1,417,054
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	1,996,529	1,453,480
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		267,388	212,716
Loans, at fair value		267,591	213,031
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		1,602,548	1,150,303
Loans, at fair value		1,656,701	1,187,069
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		53,515	48,180
Loans, at fair value		55,676	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		39,842	44,233
Loans, at fair value		40,023	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		37,010	64,509
Loans, at fair value		34,003	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		501	1,015
Loans, at fair value		$ 488	$ 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.