Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2024		Dec. 31, 2023		Mar. 31, 2023	[1]	Dec. 31, 2022
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 187,467		$ 228,927
Restricted cash		6,343		1,618
Due from brokers		17,099		51,884
Reverse repurchase agreements		183,607		173,145
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements(1)		2,517,747		2,967,437
Other secured borrowings(1)		180,918		245,827
Due to brokers		62,646		62,442
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		187,467		228,927
Restricted cash		6,343		1,618
Due from brokers		17,099		51,884
Reverse repurchase agreements		183,607		173,145
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements(1)		2,517,747		2,967,437
Other secured borrowings(1)		180,918		245,827
Due to brokers		62,646		62,442
Cash and cash equivalents		187,467	[1]	228,927	[1]	$ 188,555		$ 217,053
Restricted cash		6,300		1,600
Due from brokers		17,099		51,884
Reverse repurchase agreements		183,607		173,145
Repurchase agreements(1)	[1]	2,517,747		2,967,437
Other secured borrowings(1)	[1]	180,918		245,827
Due to brokers		$ 62,646		$ 62,442

[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.