Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Summarized Financial Information Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended					6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021		Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021		Dec. 31, 2021
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$ (64,881,000)		$ 32,655,000			$ (74,783,000)	$ 70,511,000
Other assets	[1]	6,281,000					6,281,000			$ 3,710,000
Liabilities		4,944,422,000					4,944,422,000			3,853,863,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent		1,208,149,000					1,208,149,000			1,291,321,000
Total Liabilities and Equity		6,178,877,000					6,178,877,000			5,177,419,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Total Assets		6,178,877,000					6,178,877,000			5,177,419,000
Interest income		62,722,000		45,890,000			113,796,000	85,970,000
Interest expense		(26,024,000)		(11,166,000)			(40,041,000)	(22,508,000)
Interest Income (Expense), Net		36,698,000		34,724,000			73,755,000	63,462,000
Noninterest Income		(69,607,000)		5,708,000	[2]		(95,049,000)	25,937,000	[2]
Operating Expenses		13,102,000		19,425,000			32,669,000	31,754,000
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(61,451,000)	$ (6,498,000)	36,469,000		$ 41,256,000	(67,949,000)	77,725,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		(7,825,000)		3,140,000			(14,785,000)	5,157,000
Other, net		(166,000)		2,166,000	[2]		1,054,000	2,946,000	[2]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest		(46,011,000)		21,007,000			(53,963,000)	57,645,000
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(23,265,000)		18,602,000			(28,771,000)	25,237,000
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	192,269,000					192,269,000			195,643,000
Investment in Loan Originator
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		111,400,000					111,400,000			137,800,000
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(7,700,000)		3,200,000			(12,100,000)	5,600,000
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member] | Investment in Loan Originator
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		33,400,000					33,400,000			45,500,000
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member] | Significant non-consolidated entity
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenues		14,457,000		19,048,000			30,019,000	31,412,000
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		756,000		6,747,000			1,154,000	10,377,000
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(13,700,000)		10,800,000			(16,900,000)	11,300,000
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member] | Investment in Loan Originator
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		59,100,000					59,100,000			$ 74,500,000
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member] | Significant non-consolidated entity
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenues		(73,766,000)		61,700,000			(131,507,000)	100,236,000
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$ (24,014,000)		$ 19,186,000			$ (34,665,000)	$ 31,712,000

[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.