Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Summarized Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2022		Dec. 31, 2021		Dec. 31, 2020		Oct. 03, 2022
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$ (85,339)		$ 125,346		$ 17,245
Other assets		76,791	[1]	3,710	[1]			$ 51,475
Liabilities		12,865,000		3,853,863
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent		1,195,967		1,291,321
Total Liabilities and Equity		14,085,886		5,177,419
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Total Assets		14,085,886		5,177,419
Interest income		282,218		175,505		173,531
Interest expense		(141,777)		(44,030)		(61,665)
Interest Income (Expense), Net		140,441		131,475		111,866
Noninterest Income		(80,447)		19,562	[2]	(65,207)	[2]
Operating Expenses		84,965		65,441		44,838
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(70,869)		140,556		28,377
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		(17,716)		3,144		11,377
Other, net		5,379		7,194	[2]	7,018	[2]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest		(24,971)		85,596		1,821
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(63,614)		58,104		37,933
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	127,046		195,643
Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee or Group of Investees
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments, summarized financial information, Investments		938,395		424,203
Other assets		183,312		40,554
Total		779,932		307,725
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Other liabilities		104,805		4,935
Liabilities		884,737		312,660
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent		236,970		152,097
Total Liabilities and Equity		1,121,707		464,757
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Total Assets		1,121,707		464,757
Interest income		63,985		53,400		6,657
Interest expense		(22,514)		(5,078)		(1,967)
Interest Income (Expense), Net		41,471		48,322		4,690
Gain (Loss) on Investments		(35,527)		(35,814)		(16,020)
Noninterest Income		(1,688)		(23,510)		(10,641)
Operating Expenses		44,317		16,330		8,111
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(4,534)		8,482		(14,062)
Other, net		33,839		12,304		5,379
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(18,900)		30,000		$ 3,900
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member] | Investment in Loan Originator
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 26,700		45,500
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member] | Investment in Loan Originator
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value				$ 38,900

[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.

[2] Conformed to current period presentation.