Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2023		Dec. 31, 2022		Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 174,664	[1]	$ 217,053	[1]	$ 175,230	$ 92,661
Restricted cash		1,600		4,800
Due from brokers		38,870		36,761
Reverse repurchase agreements		175,197		226,444
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements	[1]	2,573,043		2,609,685
Other secured borrowings	[1]	301,131		276,058
Due to brokers		80,180		34,507
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		174,664		217,053
Restricted cash		1,604		4,816
Due from brokers		38,870		36,761
Reverse repurchase agreements		175,197		226,444
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		2,573,043		2,609,685
Other secured borrowings		301,131		276,058
Due to brokers		80,180		34,507
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		174,664		217,053
Restricted cash		1,604		4,816
Due from brokers		38,870		36,761
Reverse repurchase agreements		175,197		226,444
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements		2,573,043		2,609,685
Other secured borrowings		301,131		276,058
Due to brokers		$ 80,180		$ 34,507

[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.