Investment in Loans (Schedule of Investments in Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		$ 11,685,456	$ 11,609,077
Fair Value	[1],[2]	11,812,567	11,626,008
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		3,261,327	3,404,544
Fair Value		3,024,744	3,115,518
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		376,291	406,721
Fair Value		374,233	404,324
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		4,341	5,190
Fair Value		3,969	4,843
Corporate loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		4,965	4,132
Fair Value		4,920	4,086
Reverse mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Principal/Notional Amount		8,038,532	7,788,490
Fair Value		$ 8,404,701	$ 8,097,237

[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.

[2] Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 13 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.