Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Summarized Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2023		Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$ 38,916,000		$ (9,902,000)
Other assets		90,105,000	[1]		$ 90,105,000	$ 76,791,000	[1]
Liabilities		12,736,762,000			12,736,762,000	12,865,000,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent		1,349,832,000				1,195,967,000
Total Liabilities and Equity		14,111,525,000				14,085,886,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Total Assets		14,111,525,000			$ 14,111,525,000	14,085,886,000
Interest income		87,174,000		51,074,000
Interest expense		(59,617,000)		(14,017,000)
Interest Income (Expense), Net		27,557,000		37,057,000
Noninterest Income		51,675,000		(25,442,000)
Operating Expenses		37,902,000		19,567,000
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		44,753,000		(6,498,000)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		21,000		(6,960,000)
Other, net		3,504,000		1,220,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest		41,330,000		(7,952,000)
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		3,444,000		(5,506,000)
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	118,747,000				127,046,000
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(1,500,000)		(4,300,000)
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member] | Investment in Loan Originator
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		25,200,000				$ 26,700,000
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member] | Significant non-consolidated entity
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenues		6,561,000		15,562,000
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$ (1,365,000)		$ 399,000

[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.