Investment in Loans (Schedule of Consumer Loans) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 11,685,456	$ 11,609,077
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(189,626)	(164,198)
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	$ 11,812,567	$ 11,626,008
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted average life		6 years 3 months 7 days	6 years 8 months 1 day
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Fair value of charged-off loans		$ 100	$ 200
Unpaid Principal Balance		4,341	5,190
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		186	(43)
Investments, at fair value, Cost		4,527	5,147
Gains		274	341
Losses		(832)	(645)
Loans, at fair value		$ 3,969	$ 4,843
Consumer loans | Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted average life		9 months 10 days	9 months 21 days
Delinquency (Days)		11 days	10 days

[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.