Investment in Loans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	$ 11,920,872		$ 11,920,872		$ 11,626,008
Unpaid Principal Balance		11,931,175		11,931,175		11,609,077
Unpaid principal balance on unactive loans		303,300		303,300		267,000
Loans purchased in private transaction				80,100
Loans purchased in private transaction - held		11,500		11,500
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	[1]	98,742		98,742		73,819
Government Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid principal balance on unactive loans		311,400		311,400		265,900
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		2,987,515		2,987,515		3,115,518
Losses						(335,750)
Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount		72,400		72,400		27,700
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,266,843		3,266,843		3,404,544
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		2,408		2,408		4,843
Losses		(380)		(380)		(645)
Unpaid Principal Balance		2,661		2,661		5,190
Delinquent loans, charged off		100	$ 300	400	$ 2,900
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss				400		500
Fair value of charged-off loans		100		100		200
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		104,377		104,377		45,110
Unpaid Principal Balance		111,488		111,488		49,144
Performing Financial Instruments [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		7,236		7,236		8,836
Unpaid Principal Balance		8,652		8,652		9,903
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value		2,987,515		2,987,515		2,944,630
Losses		(322,237)		(322,237)		(327,316)
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,266,843		3,266,843		3,225,997
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		26,000		26,000		$ 23,700
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Realized Losses, Write offs on loans		$ (300)	$ (1,300)	$ (700)	$ (1,800)

[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.