| Document and Entity Information | Jun. 10, 2021 |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Document Period End Date | Jun. 10, 2021 |
| Entity Registrant Name | CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | MD |
| Entity File Number | 001-33796 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 26-0630461 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 520 Madison Avenue |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | 32nd Floor |
| Entity Address, City or Town | New York |
| Entity Address, State or Province | NY |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 10022 |
| City Area Code | 212 |
| Local Phone Number | 626-2300 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001409493 |
| Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share [Member] | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share |
| Trading Symbol | CIM |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 8.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 8.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | CIM PRA |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 8.00% Series B Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 8.00% Series B Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | CIM PRB |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 7.75% Series C Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 7.75% Series C Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | CIM PRC |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 8.00% Series D Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 8.00% Series D Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | CIM PRD |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
