Non-controlling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests(1)	[1]	$ 19,697	$ 18,541
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Including Subsequent Acquisition, Percentage			99.60%
Ownership Percentage		99.60%
Non-controlling interest of joint venture partner | Non-controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests(1)		$ 5,500	$ 4,900
Operating Partnership | Non-controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Operating Partnership LTIP Units (in units)		788,695	748,955
Operating Partnership Units (in units)		46,360	46,360
Ownership Percentage		0.70%	0.70%
Noncontrolling Interest in Operating Partnerships		$ 11,600	$ 11,100
Longbridge Financial LLC [Member] | Non-controlling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling interests(1)		$ 2,500	$ 2,400

[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.