Other Assets - Schedule of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023		Dec. 31, 2022		Dec. 31, 2023
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Receivables and claims related to reverse mortgage loans repurchased from HMBS			$ 54,357		$ 65,784
Prepaid expenses and deferred offering costs			7,541		7,271
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 3,682		3,838		3,682
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	3,049		3,275		3,049
Accrued Fees and Other Revenue Receivable			2,418		2,286
Prepaid scheduled draws on reverse mortgage loans			2,105		5,085
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net			1,406		1,372
Servicing Agreement Asset	300		999		299
Certificates of deposit, security deposits, and escrow cash			460		780
Other Assets, Miscellaneous			392		497
Other assets	90,105	[1]	76,791	[1]	$ 90,105
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	3,500		3,500
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	3,500		3,500
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(451)		(225)
Software and Software Development Costs
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	1,167		1,284
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	1,400		1,400
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	1,400		1,400
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (233)		$ (116)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	36 months		36 months
Trademarks and Trade Names
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 1,200		$ 1,200
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	1,200		1,200
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	1,200		1,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	0		0
Customer Relationships
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	682		691
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	700		700
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	700		700
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (18)		$ (9)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	240 months		240 months
Noncompete Agreements
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 0		$ 100
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	200		200
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	200		200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (200)		$ (100)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	6 months		6 months

[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.