Investment in Loans Investment in Loans (Schedule of Residential Mortgage Loans: Performance) (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
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
Residential mortgage loans | Performing Financial Instruments [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		10,385	20,712
Loans, at fair value		9,497	20,611
Residential mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		29,248	33,949
Loans, at fair value		26,586	30,806
Residential mortgage loans | Securitized loans [Member] | Consolidated Entities [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		$ 1,561,813	$ 1,041,545

[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.