Consolidated VIEs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2023		Dec. 14, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022		Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 228,927	[1]		$ 217,053	[1]	$ 92,661	$ 111,647
Restricted cash		1,618	[1]		4,816	[1]	175	175
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	1,518,377			1,459,465
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	12,306,636			11,626,008
Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value		163,336		$ 177,421	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value(1)	[1]	116,414			127,046
Real estate owned(1)(2)	[1],[2]	22,085			28,403
Investment related receivables(1)	[1]	480,249			139,413
Other assets(1)	[1]	77,099			76,791
Total Assets		15,315,930			14,085,886
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements(1)	[1]	2,967,437			2,609,685
Investment related payables		37,403			49,323
Other secured borrowings(1)	[1]	245,827			276,058
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)	[1]	1,424,668			1,539,881
Interest payable(1)	[1]	22,933			22,452
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(1)	[1]	90,341			73,819
Total Liabilities		13,780,318			12,865,000
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,517,071			1,195,967
Non-controlling interests(1)	[1]	18,541			24,919
Total Equity		1,535,612			1,220,886		$ 1,323,556	$ 921,572
Total Liabilities and Equity		15,315,930			14,085,886
Due from brokers		51,884			36,761
Primary Beneficiary
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		178			2,444
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		74,226			73,644
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		3,342,478			3,524,685
Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value		82,273			0
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value(1)		63,701			68,574
Real estate owned(1)(2)		16,100			21,121
Investment related receivables(1)		19,929			21,893
Other assets(1)		469			1,577
Total Assets		3,599,354			3,713,938
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements(1)		1,244,401			1,333,098
Other secured borrowings(1)		25,787			37,812
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)		1,424,668			1,539,881
Interest payable(1)		1,879			2,012
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(1)		451			1,460
Total Liabilities		2,697,186			2,914,263
Total Stockholders' Equity		897,303			789,625
Non-controlling interests(1)		4,865			10,050
Total Equity		902,168			799,675
Total Liabilities and Equity		$ 3,599,354			$ 3,713,938

[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.

[2] Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 14 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.