Consolidated VIEs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 175,230			$ 92,661
Restricted cash	[1]	0			175
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	1,522,772			2,087,360
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	3,822,895			2,415,321
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	171,379			195,643
Real estate owned	[1],[2]	20,738			24,681
Investment related receivables	[1]	172,826			122,175
Other assets	[1]	5,215			3,710
Total Assets		6,342,709			5,177,419
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements	[1]	2,895,019			2,469,763
Investment related payables		48,860			39,048
Other secured borrowings	[1]	40,900			96,622
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	[1]	1,635,829			984,168
Interest payable	[1]	11,687			4,570
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[1]	8,650			22,098
Total Liabilities		5,162,080			3,853,863
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,155,306			1,291,321
Non-controlling interests	[1]	25,323			32,235
Total Equity		1,180,629	$ 1,234,455	$ 1,322,938	1,323,556	$ 1,095,270	$ 955,104	$ 943,376	$ 921,572
Total Liabilities and Equity		6,342,709			5,177,419
Due from brokers		86,957			93,549
Primary Beneficiary
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		257			9,214
Restricted cash		0			175
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		75,563			72,840
Loans, at fair value		3,812,711			2,384,078
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		69,465			36,874
Real estate owned		20,738			24,681
Investment related receivables		29,186			46,621
Other assets		1,533			2,434
Total Assets		4,009,453			2,576,917
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements		1,471,043			613,314
Other secured borrowings		40,900			95,621
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		1,635,829			984,168
Interest payable		1,721			1,087
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		691			1,579
Total Liabilities		3,150,184			1,695,769
Total Stockholders' Equity		846,112			862,632
Non-controlling interests		13,157			18,516
Total Equity		859,269			881,148
Total Liabilities and Equity		$ 4,009,453			$ 2,576,917

[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.