Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 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		1,600		4,800
Due from brokers		51,884		36,761
Reverse repurchase agreements		173,145		226,444
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements(1)	[1]	2,967,437		2,609,685
Other secured borrowings(1)	[1]	245,827		276,058
Due to brokers		62,442		34,507
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		228,927		217,053
Restricted cash		1,618		4,816
Due from brokers		51,884		36,761
Reverse repurchase agreements		173,145		226,444
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements(1)		2,967,437		2,609,685
Other secured borrowings(1)		245,827		276,058
Due to brokers		62,442		34,507
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		228,927		217,053
Restricted cash		1,618		4,816
Due from brokers		51,884		36,761
Reverse repurchase agreements		173,145		226,444
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements(1)		2,967,437		2,609,685
Other secured borrowings(1)		245,827		276,058
Due to brokers		$ 62,442		$ 34,507

[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.