Investment in Loans (Schedule of 90 Days or More Past Due) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 11,780,908		$ 11,609,077
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	11,822,695		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		346,163		406,721
Loans, at fair value		348,360		404,324
Commercial mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		17,700		17,700
Loans, at fair value		20,900		17,600
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,246,898		3,404,544
Loans, at fair value		2,993,683		3,115,518
Residential mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		84,755		49,144
Loans, at fair value		78,896		45,110
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,389		5,190
Loans, at fair value		3,059		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 | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		20,900
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		17,656		17,656
Loans, at fair value		20,895		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		85,474		50,994
Loans, at fair value		79,588		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		104		170
Loans, at fair value		$ 79		$ 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.