| Cover Page Cover Page | Aug. 08, 2019 | Aug. 07, 2019 |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Document Type | 8-K | |
| Document Period End Date | Aug. 8, 2019 | |
| Entity Registrant Name | CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORP | |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | MD | |
| Entity File Number | 1-33796 | |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 26-0630461 | |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 520 Madison Avenue, 32nd Fl | |
| 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 | |
| Amendment Flag | false | |
| Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | ||
| Entity Information [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 | ||
| Entity Information [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 | ||
| Entity Information [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 | ||
| Entity Information [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 | ||
| Entity Information [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 |
