Investment in Loans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	$ 11,812,567		$ 11,626,008
Unpaid Principal Balance		11,685,456		11,609,077
Unpaid principal balance on unactive loans		296,500		267,000
Loans purchased in private transaction		80,100
Loans purchased in private transaction - held		65,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[1]	91,115		73,819
Due to MLPS Counterparty
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		4,400
Government Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid principal balance on unactive loans		299,200		265,900
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		3,024,744		3,115,518
Losses				(335,750)
Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount		43,400		27,700
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,261,327		3,404,544
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		3,969		4,843
Losses		(832)		(645)
Unpaid Principal Balance		4,341		5,190
Delinquent loans, charged off		200	$ 1,300
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		500		500
Fair value of charged-off loans		100		200
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		67,030		45,110
Unpaid Principal Balance		71,211		49,144
Performing Financial Instruments [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		8,190		8,836
Unpaid Principal Balance		9,475		9,903
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		3,024,744		2,944,630
Losses		(283,306)		(327,316)
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,261,327		3,225,997
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		23,400		$ 23,700
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Realized Losses, Write offs on loans		$ (300)	$ (26)

[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.