Valuation (Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents(1)		$ 55,876	[1]	$ 44,656	$ 44,700
Restricted cash				425
Due from brokers(1)		58,145	[1]	71,794
Reverse repurchase agreements		25,381
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements(1)	[1]	1,550,016
Other secured borrowings(1)		117,315	[1]	114,100
Senior notes, net		85,100		85,035
Due to brokers		4,820		$ 5,553
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents(1)		55,876
Restricted cash		175
Due from brokers(1)		58,145
Reverse repurchase agreements		25,381
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements(1)		1,550,016
Other secured borrowings(1)		117,315
Senior notes, net		85,100
Due to brokers		4,820
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents(1)		55,876
Restricted cash		175
Due from brokers(1)		58,145
Reverse repurchase agreements		25,381
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements(1)		1,550,016
Other secured borrowings(1)		117,315
Senior notes, net		85,100
Due to brokers		$ 4,820

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.