Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	$ 127,046	$ 195,643
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(63,614)	58,104	$ 37,933
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(18,900)	30,000	$ 3,900
Investment in Loan Originator | LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		26,700	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
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 82,400	$ 63,900

[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.