Consolidated VIEs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2024		Dec. 31, 2023		Mar. 31, 2023		Dec. 31, 2022
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 187,467	[1]	$ 228,927	[1]	$ 188,555	[1]	$ 217,053
Restricted cash		6,343	[1]	1,618	[1]	1,601	[1]	4,816
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	1,328,848		1,518,377
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	12,644,232		12,306,636
Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value(1)		160,009		163,336
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value	[1]	125,366		116,414
Real estate owned(1)(2)	[1],[2]	19,999		22,085
Investment related receivables(1)	[1]	200,059		480,249
Other assets(1)	[1]	75,422		77,099
Total Assets		15,132,600		15,315,930
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements(1)	[1]	2,517,747		2,967,437
Investment related payables		32,329		37,403
Other secured borrowings(1)	[1]	180,918		245,827
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)	[1]	1,569,149		1,424,668
Interest payable(1)	[1]	25,177		22,933
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(1)	[1]	74,638		90,341
Liabilities		13,579,444		13,780,318
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,533,459		1,517,071
Non-controlling interests(1)	[1]	19,697		18,541
Total Equity		1,553,156		1,535,612		$ 1,374,763		$ 1,220,886
Total Liabilities and Equity		15,132,600		15,315,930
Primary Beneficiary
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		98		178
Restricted cash		4,730		0
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)		71,545		74,226
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		3,619,551		3,342,478
Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value(1)		80,475		82,273
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		72,220		63,701
Real estate owned(1)(2)		14,414		16,100
Investment related receivables(1)		20,325		19,929
Other assets(1)		733		469
Total Assets		3,884,091		3,599,354
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements(1)		1,305,736		1,244,401
Other secured borrowings(1)		19,662		25,787
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)		1,569,149		1,424,668
Interest payable(1)		2,052		1,879
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(1)		283		451
Liabilities		2,896,882		2,697,186
Total Stockholders' Equity		981,686		897,303
Non-controlling interests(1)		5,523		4,865
Total Equity		987,209		902,168
Total Liabilities and Equity		$ 3,884,091		$ 3,599,354

[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.