Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 363,529		$ 92,661
Due from brokers		122,825		93,549
Reverse repurchase agreements		131,243		123,250
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	[1]	2,717,638		2,469,763
Other secured borrowings	[1]	47,941		96,622
Senior notes, net		85,890		85,802
Due to brokers		36,043		2,233
Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member]
Liabilities:
Total net up-front payments received		800	$ 800
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		363,529		92,661
Restricted cash		175		175
Due from brokers		122,825		93,549
Reverse repurchase agreements		131,243		123,250
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		2,717,638		2,469,763
Other secured borrowings		47,941		96,622
Senior notes, net		86,017		86,249
Due to brokers		36,043		2,233
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		363,529		92,661
Restricted cash		175		175
Due from brokers		122,825		93,549
Reverse repurchase agreements		131,243		123,250
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		2,717,638		2,469,763
Other secured borrowings		47,941		96,622
Senior notes, net		85,890		85,802
Due to brokers		$ 36,043		$ 2,233

[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.