Investment in Loans (Schedule of Consumer Loans) (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]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 11,931,175		$ 11,931,175		$ 11,609,077
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(229,993)		(229,993)		(164,198)
Loans, at fair value	[1],[2]	11,920,872		$ 11,920,872		$ 11,626,008
Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted average life				6 years 4 months 9 days		6 years 8 months 1 day
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Fair value of charged-off loans		100		$ 100		$ 200
Unpaid Principal Balance		2,661		2,661		5,190
Unamortized Premium (Discount)		(99)		(99)		(43)
Investments, at fair value, Cost		2,562		2,562		5,147
Gains		226		226		341
Losses		(380)		(380)		(645)
Loans, at fair value		2,408		2,408		$ 4,843
Delinquent loans, charged off		100	$ 300	400	$ 2,900
Consumer loans | Loans held-for-investment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Realized Losses, Write offs on loans		$ (300)	$ (1,300)	$ (700)	$ (1,800)
Consumer loans | Weighted Average
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Weighted average life				9 months 10 days		9 months 21 days
Delinquency (Days)				13 days		10 days

[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.