Other Assets - Schedule of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022		Oct. 03, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Receivables and claims related to reverse mortgage loans repurchased from HMBS	$ 54,357			$ 0
Prepaid expenses and deferred offering costs	7,541			1,943
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	3,838			0
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	3,275			0
Accrued Fees and Other Revenue Receivable	2,418			1,607
Prepaid scheduled draws on reverse mortgage loans	2,105			0
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	1,406			0
Servicing Agreement Asset	999			0
Certificates of deposit, security deposits, and escrow cash	460			113
Other Assets, Miscellaneous	392			47
Other assets	76,791	[1]	$ 51,475	$ 3,710	[1]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	3,500
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	3,500
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(225)
Software and Software Development Costs
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	1,284
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	1,400
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	1,400
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (116)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	36 months
Trademarks and Trade Names
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 1,200
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	1,200
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	1,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	0
Customer Relationships
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	691
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	700
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	700
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (9)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	240 months
Noncompete Agreements
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 100
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	200
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (100)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	6 months

[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.