Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 175,230	$ 92,661
Due from brokers		86,957	93,549
Reverse repurchase agreements		204,654	123,250
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	[1]	2,895,019	2,469,763
Other secured borrowings	[1]	40,900	96,622
Senior notes, net		0	85,802
Due to brokers		61,978	2,233
Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member]
Liabilities:
Total net up-front payments received		800	800
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		175,230	92,661
Restricted cash		0	175
Due from brokers		86,957	93,549
Reverse repurchase agreements		204,654	123,250
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		2,895,019	2,469,763
Other secured borrowings		40,900	96,622
Senior notes, net		0	86,249
Due to brokers		61,978	2,233
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		175,230	92,661
Restricted cash		0	175
Due from brokers		86,957	93,549
Reverse repurchase agreements		204,654	123,250
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		2,895,019	2,469,763
Other secured borrowings		40,900	96,622
Senior notes, net		0	85,802
Due to brokers		$ 61,978	$ 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.