Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 224,451		$ 92,661
Due from brokers		93,939		93,549
Reverse repurchase agreements		179,394		123,250
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	[1]	2,865,222		2,469,763
Other secured borrowings	[1]	45,455		96,622
Senior notes, net		85,956		85,802
Due to brokers		31,124		2,233
Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member]
Liabilities:
Total net up-front payments received		800	$ 800
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		224,451		92,661
Restricted cash		0		175
Due from brokers		93,939		93,549
Reverse repurchase agreements		179,394		123,250
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		2,865,222		2,469,763
Other secured borrowings		45,455		96,622
Senior notes, net		86,043		86,249
Due to brokers		31,124		2,233
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		224,451		92,661
Restricted cash		0		175
Due from brokers		93,939		93,549
Reverse repurchase agreements		179,394		123,250
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		2,865,222		2,469,763
Other secured borrowings		45,455		96,622
Senior notes, net		85,956		85,802
Due to brokers		$ 31,124		$ 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.