Cover Page Document - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	May 12, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value per share
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Document Transition Report	false
Document Annual Report	true
Entity Registrant Name	Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT
Entity Address, Address Line One	53 Forest Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Old Greenwich
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06870
Entity Central Index Key	0001560672
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2023
Entity File Number	001-35896
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		13,830,403
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Tax Identification Number	46-0687599
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	698-1200
Trading Symbol	EARN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes