Investment in Loans (Schedule of Investments in Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		$ 4,073,065	$ 2,366,724
Fair Value	[1],[2]	3,822,895	2,415,321
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		3,597,404	1,969,874
Fair Value		3,348,810	2,016,228
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		465,924	326,438
Fair Value		464,513	326,197
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		6,203	59,881
Fair Value		6,038	62,365
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		3,534	10,531
Fair Value		$ 3,534	$ 10,531

[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.