Investment in Loans Investment in Loans (Schedule of Corporate Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 4,073,065	$ 2,366,724
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	3,822,895	2,415,321
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,534	10,531
Loans, at fair value		$ 3,534	$ 10,531
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		1.66%	3.52%
Weighted average life		7 years 1 month 2 days	5 years 11 months 8 days
Weighted Average | Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted Average Coupon		6.27%	16.14%
Weighted average life		3 years 1 month 2 days	4 years 3 days

[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.