| Document and Entity Information | Dec. 10, 2022 |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Entity Registrant Name | CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORP |
| Amendment Flag | true |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001409493 |
| Document Type | 8-K/A |
| Document Period End Date | Dec. 10, 2022 |
| Entity Incorporation State Country Code | MD |
| Entity File Number | 001-33796 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 26-0630461 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 630 Fifth Avenue |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | Suite 2400 |
| Entity Address, City or Town | New York |
| Entity Address, State or Province | NY |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 10111 |
| City Area Code | (888) |
| Local Phone Number | 895-6557 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre Commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Amendment Description | This amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A (the “8-K Amendment”) is being filed as an amendment to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by Chimera Investment Corporation (the “Company”) on December 12, 2022 (the “Original 8-K”), which disclosed, among other things, the separation from employment of Mohit Marria as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, effective December 10, 2022, and Mr. Marria’s resignation from the Board of Directors of the Company effective December 10, 2022. The sole purpose of this 8-K Amendment is to disclose additional information related to Mr. Marria’s Separation Agreement (as defined below) with the Company. Other than as supplemented by the information below, the 8-K Amendment does not change the Original 8-K in any respect. |
| Common Stock Par Value 001 Per Share [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share |
| Trading Symbol | CIM |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Eight 00 Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 8.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | CIM PRA |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Eight 00 Series B Cumulative Fixed To Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 8.00% Series B Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | CIM PRB |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Seven 75 Series C Cumulative Fixed To Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 7.75% Series C Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | CIM PRC |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Eight 00 Series D Cumulative Fixed To Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 8.00% Series D Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | CIM PRD |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
