Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	$ 219,303		$ 195,643
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(5,506)	$ 6,635
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(4,300)	2,400
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(3,200)	$ 500
Investment in Loan Originator
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		130,200		137,800
Investment in Loan Originator | LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		41,200		45,500
Investment in Loan Originator | Longbridge Financial LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		71,300		74,500
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 76,800		$ 63,900

[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.