Investment in Loans (Schedule of 90 Days or More Past Due) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 11,931,175		$ 11,609,077
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	11,920,872		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		293,395		406,721
Loans, at fair value		290,944		404,324
Commercial mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		33,000		17,700
Loans, at fair value		32,200		17,600
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,266,843		3,404,544
Loans, at fair value		2,987,515		3,115,518
Residential mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		111,488		49,144
Loans, at fair value		104,377		45,110
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		2,661		5,190
Loans, at fair value		2,408		4,843
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		400		500
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		32,200		17,600
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		32,965		17,656
Loans, at fair value		32,178		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		112,579		50,994
Loans, at fair value		105,379		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		92		170
Loans, at fair value		$ 70		$ 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.