Investment in Loans (Schedule of Investments in Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		$ 2,904,894	$ 2,366,724
Fair Value	[1],[2]	2,884,627	2,415,321
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		2,452,210	1,969,874
Fair Value		2,433,007	2,016,228
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		430,031	326,438
Fair Value		429,954	326,197
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		10,865	59,881
Fair Value		9,878	62,365
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		11,788	10,531
Fair Value		$ 11,788	$ 10,531

[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.