Investment in Loans (Schedule of 90 Days or More Past Due) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 12,164,019	$ 11,609,077
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	12,306,636	11,626,008
Proceeds from the disposition of loans (non-cash)		174,181	338,663	$ 0
Commercial mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		281,531	406,721
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		266,595	404,324
Commercial mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		47,700	17,700
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		33,300	17,600
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,305,757	3,404,544
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		3,093,912	3,115,518
Residential mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		127,085	49,144
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		119,524	45,110
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		2,081	5,190
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		1,759	4,843
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		300	500
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		33,300	17,600
Non-accrual status [Member] | Commercial mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		47,736	17,656
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		33,314	17,583
Non-accrual status [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		127,685	50,994
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		120,087	47,022
Non-accrual status [Member] | Consumer loans | 90 Days or More Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		94	170
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 66	$ 145

[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.