Other Assets - Schedule of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Receivables and claims related to reverse mortgage loans repurchased from HMBS		$ 48,468	$ 54,357
Prepaid expenses and deferred offering costs		11,602	7,541
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)		2,673	3,275	$ 0
Prepaid scheduled draws on reverse mortgage loans		2,800	2,105
Accrued Fees and Other Revenue Receivable		3,755	2,418
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset		3,279	3,838
Servicing Asset		1,327	999
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net		1,110	1,406
Servicing Agreement Asset		1,300	1,000
Certificates of deposit, security deposits, and escrow cash		1,043	460
Other Assets, Miscellaneous		1,042	392
Other assets(1)	[1]	77,099	76,791
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		3,500	3,500
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		3,500	3,500
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(827)	(225)
Software and Software Development Costs
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)		817	1,284
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		1,400	1,400
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		1,400	1,400
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		$ (583)	$ (116)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		36 months	36 months
Trademarks and Trade Names
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)		$ 1,200	$ 1,200
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		1,200	1,200
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		1,200	1,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		0	0
Customer Relationships
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)		656	691
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		700	700
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		700	700
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		$ (44)	$ (9)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		240 months	240 months
Noncompete Agreements
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)		$ 0	$ 100
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		200	200
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		200	200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		$ (200)	$ (100)
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		6 months	6 months

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Consolidated Balance Sheets include assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 12 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.