Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022		Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 188,555	$ 217,053	[1]	$ 363,529	$ 92,661
Restricted cash		1,600	4,800
Due from brokers		24,291	36,761
Reverse repurchase agreements		180,934	226,444
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	[1]	2,285,898	2,609,685
Other secured borrowings	[1]	363,640	276,058
Due to brokers		35,431	34,507
Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member]
Liabilities:
Total net up-front payments received		800	800
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		188,555	217,053
Restricted cash		1,601	4,816
Due from brokers		24,291	36,761
Reverse repurchase agreements		180,934	226,444
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		2,285,898	2,609,685
Other secured borrowings		363,640	276,058
Due to brokers		35,431	34,507
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		188,555	217,053
Restricted cash		1,601	4,816
Due from brokers		24,291	36,761
Reverse repurchase agreements		180,934	226,444
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		2,285,898	2,609,685
Other secured borrowings		363,640	276,058
Due to brokers		$ 35,431	$ 34,507

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed 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.