Investment in Loans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	$ 11,822,695		$ 11,822,695		$ 11,626,008
Unpaid Principal Balance		11,780,908		11,780,908		11,609,077
Delinquent loans, charged off		100	$ 900
Unpaid principal balance on unactive loans		293,300		293,300		267,000
Loans purchased in private transaction				80,100
Loans purchased in private transaction - held		18,200		18,200
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[1]	106,514		106,514		73,819
Government Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid principal balance on unactive loans		294,300		294,300		265,900
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		2,993,683		2,993,683		3,115,518
Losses						(335,750)
Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount		53,600		53,600		27,700
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,246,898		3,246,898		3,404,544
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		3,059		3,059		4,843
Losses		(578)		(578)		(645)
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,389		3,389		5,190
Delinquent loans, charged off				300	$ 2,200
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss				500
Fair value of charged-off loans		100		100		200
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		78,896		78,896		45,110
Unpaid Principal Balance		84,755		84,755		49,144
Performing Financial Instruments [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		7,517		7,517		8,836
Unpaid Principal Balance		8,743		8,743		9,903
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		2,993,683		2,993,683		2,944,630
Losses		(297,901)		(297,901)		(327,316)
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,246,898		3,246,898		3,225,997
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		22,600		22,600		$ 23,700
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Realized Losses, Write offs on loans		$ (100)	$ (500)	$ (400)	$ (500)

[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.