Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (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
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	$ 118,420		$ 118,420		$ 127,046
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(5,868)	$ (23,265)	(2,424)	$ (28,771)
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(1,600)	$ (7,700)	(3,100)	$ (12,100)
Investment in Loan Originator | LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		23,500		23,500		26,700
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		$ 83,100		$ 83,100		$ 82,400

[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.