Securitization Transactions Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) Rate	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	$ 1,459,465	$ 2,087,360
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	$ 127,046	195,643
Number of HMBS pools being serviced		832
Unpaid principal balance of HECM loans pooled into HMBS		$ 408,200
Unpaid principal balance of loans in HMBS - Servicing		7,600,000
Servicing Agreement Asset		999	0
HMBS buyouts		121,900
HMBS buyouts transferred to third party		121,000
Participation in Multi-Seller Consumer Loan Securitization [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 9,700	$ 11,500
Non-QM loan securitization
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Threshold for exercising Optional Redemption		30.00%
Percentage used to calculate servicing administrator fee		0.03%
Non-QM loan securitization | November 2019 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued		$ 267,255
Non-QM loan securitization | The Company [Member] | November 2019 [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		267,255
Non-QM loan securitization, not consolidated | December 2022
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		37,600
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued		365,300
Non-QM loan securitization, not consolidated | December 2022 | Non-QM Loan JV Entity
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 200
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage | Rate		84.50%
Non-QM loan securitization, not consolidated | December 2022 | Participated Risk Retention Vehicle
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 2,400
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage | Rate		84.50%
Non-QM loan securitization, not consolidated | The Company [Member] | December 2022
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		$ 310,000
Non-QM loan securitization, not consolidated | non-QM co-participant | December 2022
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		$ 55,300

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Consolidated Balance Sheets include assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 11 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

[2] Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 13 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.