Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Summarized Financial Information Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021		Dec. 31, 2021
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$ (9,902,000)	$ 37,856,000
Other assets	[1]	3,959,000			$ 3,710,000
Liabilities		4,504,327,000			3,853,863,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent		1,294,080,000			1,291,321,000
Total Liabilities and Equity		5,827,265,000			5,177,419,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Total Assets		5,827,265,000			5,177,419,000
Interest income		51,074,000	40,079,000
Interest expense		(14,017,000)	(11,342,000)
Interest Income (Expense), Net		37,057,000	28,737,000
Noninterest Income		(25,442,000)	20,230,000	[2]
Operating Expenses		19,567,000	12,329,000
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(6,498,000)	41,256,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		(6,960,000)	2,017,000
Other, net		1,220,000	780,000	[2]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest		(7,952,000)	36,638,000
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(5,506,000)	6,635,000
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	219,303,000			195,643,000
Investment in Loan Originator
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		130,200,000			137,800,000
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(4,300,000)	2,400,000
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member] | Investment in Loan Originator
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		41,200,000			45,500,000
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member] | Significant non-consolidated entity
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenues		15,562,000	12,365,000
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		399,000	3,630,000
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(3,200,000)	500,000
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member] | Investment in Loan Originator
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		71,300,000			$ 74,500,000
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member] | Significant non-consolidated entity
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenues		(57,741,000)	38,536,000
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$ (10,651,000)	$ 12,526,000

[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] Conformed to current period presentation.