Investment in Loans (Schedule of 90 Days or More Past Due) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 11,685,456		$ 11,609,077
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	11,812,567		11,626,008
Proceeds from the disposition of loans (non-cash)		174,181	$ 0
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		376,291		406,721
Loans, at fair value		374,233		404,324
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,261,327		3,404,544
Loans, at fair value		3,024,744		3,115,518
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		4,341		5,190
Loans, at fair value		3,969		4,843
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value				17,600
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		28,261		17,656
Loans, at fair value		28,117		17,583
Non-accrual status [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		72,398		50,994
Loans, at fair value		68,094		47,022
Non-accrual status [Member] | Consumer loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		124		170
Loans, at fair value		$ 102		$ 145

[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.