Investment in Loans (Schedule of 90 Days or More Past Due) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 2,904,894	$ 2,366,724
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	2,884,627	2,415,321
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		430,031	326,438
Loans, at fair value		429,954	326,197
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		2,452,210	1,969,874
Loans, at fair value		2,433,007	2,016,228
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		10,865	59,881
Loans, at fair value		9,878	62,365
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value			15,500
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		31,500	15,500
Loans, at fair value		31,460	15,462
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		32,426	36,528
Loans, at fair value		29,681	33,288
Non-accrual status [Member] | Consumer loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		612	600
Loans, at fair value		$ 521	$ 589

[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.