Investment in Loans (Schedule of 90 Days or More Past Due) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 3,627,673	$ 2,366,724
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	3,490,820	2,415,321
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		478,842	326,438
Loans, at fair value		477,378	326,197
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,130,882	1,969,874
Loans, at fair value		2,995,584	2,016,228
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		7,501	59,881
Loans, at fair value		7,410	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		31,465	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		31,079	36,528
Loans, at fair value		28,338	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		226	600
Loans, at fair value		$ 191	$ 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.