Securitization Transactions (Schedule of Residential Loan Securitizations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2025		Dec. 31, 2024		Sep. 30, 2024	[1]	Dec. 31, 2023
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Securities, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	$ 909,851		$ 962,254
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	15,531,299		13,999,572
Investment related receivables(1)	[1]	159,614		189,081
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)	[1]	2,213,994		1,934,309
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value		184,809	[1]	192,387	[1]	$ 217,725		$ 228,927
Broker-Dealer, Payable to Other Broker-Dealer and Clearing Organization		41,321		22,714
Residential mortgage loans
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		3,234,797		3,539,534
Non-QM loan securitization | Consolidated Entities [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Investment related receivables(1)		4,157		4,252
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)		1,256,317		1,318,198
Non-QM loan securitization | Consolidated Entities [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Securitized loans [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		1,385,678		1,449,266
Non-QM loan securitization | November 2019
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued		267,255
Non-QM loan securitization | June 2020
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued		259,273
Non-QM loan securitization | October 2020
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued		219,732
Non-QM loan securitization | February 2021
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued		251,771
Non-QM loan securitization | June 2021
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued		331,777
Non-QM loan securitization | October 2021
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued		257,645
Non-QM loan securitization | January 2022
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued		417,188
Non-QM loan securitization | April 2022
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued		425,651
Non-QM loan securitization | July 2022
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Total Face Amount of Certificates Issued		345,652
European Residential Loan Securitization | Consolidated Entities [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Investment related receivables(1)		2,780		1,373
Other secured borrowings, at fair value(1)		29,825		39,638
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value		617		1,105
European Residential Loan Securitization | Consolidated Entities [Member] | Residential mortgage loans | Securitized loans [Member]
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		29,761		39,168
Broker-Dealer, Payable to Other Broker-Dealer and Clearing Organization		3,269		$ 1,948
CES Loan Securitization, Not Consolidated | February 2025
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Notes Issued by CES Securitization Trust		268,902
CES Loan Securitization, Co-Sponsor | October 2024
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Notes Issued by CES Securitization Trust		546,992
CES Loan Securitization, Co-Sponsor | January 2025
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Notes Issued by CES Securitization Trust		535,777
CES Loan Securitization, Co-Sponsor | April 2025
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Notes Issued by CES Securitization Trust		500,318
CES Loan Securitization, Co-Sponsor | May 2025
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Notes Issued by CES Securitization Trust		502,665
CES Loan Securitization, Co-Sponsor | August 2025
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Notes Issued by CES Securitization Trust		697,964
The Company [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization | November 2019
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		267,255
The Company [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization | June 2020
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		259,273
The Company [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization | October 2020
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		219,732
The Company [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization | February 2021
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		251,771
The Company [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization | June 2021
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		331,777
The Company [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization | October 2021
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		257,645
The Company [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization | January 2022
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		417,188
The Company [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization | April 2022
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		425,651
The Company [Member] | Non-QM loan securitization | July 2022
Securitization Transactions [Line Items]
Principal Balance of Loans Transferred to the Depositor		$ 345,652

[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed 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.

[2] Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 14 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.