Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	$ 171,379		$ 171,379		$ 195,643
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(25,513)	$ 2,549	(54,284)	$ 27,786
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(6,900)	6,000	(18,900)	11,600
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(20,200)	$ (6,200)	(37,100)	$ 5,100
Investment in Loan Originator
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		83,200		83,200		137,800
Investment in Loan Originator | LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		26,600		26,600		45,500
Investment in Loan Originator | Longbridge Financial LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		38,900		38,900		74,500
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 81,100		$ 81,100		$ 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.