Investment in Loans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	$ 12,306,636	$ 11,626,008
Unpaid Principal Balance		12,164,019	11,609,077
Unpaid principal balance on unactive loans		280,600	267,000
Loans purchased in private transaction		80,100
Loans purchased in private transaction - held		8,900
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(1)	[1]	90,341	73,819
Government Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid principal balance on unactive loans		290,400	265,900
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		3,093,912	3,115,518
Losses			(335,750)
Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount		85,600	27,700
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,305,757	3,404,544
Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		1,759	4,843
Losses		(329)	(645)
Unpaid Principal Balance		2,081	5,190
Delinquent loans, charged off		500	3,000	$ 3,600
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		300	500
Fair value of charged-off loans		35	200
Non-performing | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		119,524	45,110
Unpaid Principal Balance		127,085	49,144
Performing Financial Instruments [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		3,761	8,836
Unpaid Principal Balance		4,252	9,903
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		3,093,912	2,944,630
Losses		(255,230)	(327,316)
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,305,757	3,225,997
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss		17,200	23,700
Loans held-for-investment [Member] | Consumer loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Realized Losses, Write offs on loans		$ (800)	$ (2,100)	$ (1,400)

[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.