Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Summarized Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Other assets(1)	[1]	$ 75,422		$ 77,099
Total Assets		15,132,600		15,315,930
Liabilities		13,579,444		13,780,318
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent		1,533,459		1,517,071
Total Liabilities and Equity		15,132,600		$ 15,315,930
Interest income		101,520	$ 87,174
Interest expense		(70,464)	(59,617)
Interest Income (Expense), Net		31,056	27,557
Other, net		7,508	3,504
Noninterest Income		44,485	51,675
Operating Expenses		43,655	37,902
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$ 26,915	$ 38,916

[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.