Investment in Loans Investment in Loans (Schedule of Residential Mortgage Loans: Performance) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2025	Dec. 31, 2024
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 14,926,381	$ 13,657,446
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)	[1],[2]	15,531,299	13,999,572
Residential mortgage loans
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		3,338,338	3,689,355
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		3,234,797	3,539,534
Residential mortgage loans | Performing Financial Instruments [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		22,583	24,640
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		21,715	22,845
Residential mortgage loans | Non-performing
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		252,046	229,140
Loans, at fair value(1)(2)		$ 231,817	$ 215,736

[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.