Investment in Loans (Schedule of 90 Days or More Past Due) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022		Dec. 31, 2021		Dec. 31, 2020	Oct. 03, 2022
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 11,609,077		$ 2,366,724
Loans, at fair value	11,626,008	[1],[2]	2,415,321	[1],[2]		$ 7,698,426
Proceeds from the disposition of loans (non-cash)	338,663		0		$ 113,791
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	406,721		326,438
Loans, at fair value	404,324		326,197
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	3,404,544		1,969,874
Loans, at fair value	3,115,518		2,016,228
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	5,190		59,881
Loans, at fair value	4,843		62,365
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value			15,500
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	17,656		15,500
Loans, at fair value	17,583		15,462
Non-accrual status [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	50,994		36,528
Loans, at fair value	47,022		33,288
Non-accrual status [Member] | Consumer loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance	170		600
Loans, at fair value	$ 145		$ 589

[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.