Securitization Transactions (Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Attributable to Consolidated VIEs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents(1)	$ 55,876	[1]	$ 44,656	$ 44,700
TBA securities, at fair value			2,939,311
Interest payable			7,159
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	282,124	[1]	297,948
Consolidated Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents(1)			0
Loans, at fair value	296,366
TBA securities, at fair value			314,202
Interest and dividends receivable	4,734		3,527
Interest payable	91		103
Other secured borrowings, at fair value	$ 282,124		$ 297,948

[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.