Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	$ 192,269		$ 192,269		$ 195,643
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(23,265)	$ 18,602	(28,771)	$ 25,237
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(7,700)	3,200	(12,100)	5,600
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(13,700)	$ 10,800	(16,900)	$ 11,300
Investment in Loan Originator
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		111,400		111,400		137,800
Investment in Loan Originator | LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		33,400		33,400		45,500
Investment in Loan Originator | Longbridge Financial LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		59,100		59,100		74,500
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 75,000		$ 75,000		$ 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.