Investment in Loans Investment in Loans (Schedule of Residential Mortgage Loans: Performance) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2023	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
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 | Performing Financial Instruments [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		8,652	9,903
Loans, at fair value		7,236	8,836
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
Residential mortgage loans | Securitized loans [Member] | Consolidated Entities [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		$ 1,538,754	$ 1,665,070

[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.