Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Summarized Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$ 2,898,000		$ (64,881,000)		$ 41,814,000	$ (74,783,000)
Other assets	[1]	100,853,000				100,853,000		$ 76,791,000
Liabilities		12,958,208,000				12,958,208,000		12,865,000,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent		1,322,558,000				1,322,558,000		1,195,967,000
Total Liabilities and Equity		14,302,865,000				14,302,865,000		14,085,886,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Total Assets		14,302,865,000				14,302,865,000		14,085,886,000
Interest income		88,092,000		62,722,000		175,266,000	113,796,000
Interest expense		(63,433,000)		(26,024,000)		(123,050,000)	(40,041,000)
Interest Income (Expense), Net		24,659,000		36,698,000		52,216,000	73,755,000
Noninterest Income		34,663,000		(69,607,000)		86,338,000	(95,049,000)
Operating Expenses		42,632,000		13,102,000		80,534,000	32,669,000
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		10,739,000	$ 44,753,000	(61,451,000)	$ (6,498,000)	55,492,000	(67,949,000)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		83,000		(7,825,000)		104,000	(14,785,000)
Other, net		5,689,000		(166,000)		9,193,000	1,054,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest		16,690,000		(46,011,000)		58,020,000	(53,963,000)
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(5,868,000)		(23,265,000)		(2,424,000)	(28,771,000)
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	118,420,000				118,420,000		127,046,000
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		(1,600,000)		(7,700,000)		(3,100,000)	(12,100,000)
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member] | Investment in Loan Originator
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		23,500,000				23,500,000		$ 26,700,000
LendSure Mortgage Corp [Member] | Significant non-consolidated entity
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenues		10,086,000		14,457,000		16,647,000	30,019,000
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$ 214,000		$ 756,000		$ (1,151,000)	$ 1,154,000

[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.