| Cover | Aug. 14, 2020 |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Document Period End Date | Aug. 14, 2020 |
| Entity File Number | 001-34506 |
| Entity Registrant Name | Two Harbors Investment Corp. |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001465740 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 27-0312904 |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | MD |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 601 Carlson Parkway |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | Suite 1400 |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Minnetonka |
| Entity Address, State or Province | MN |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 55305 |
| City Area Code | 612 |
| Local Phone Number | 453-4100 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Common Stock [Member] | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share |
| Trading Symbol | TWO |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 8.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | TWO PRA |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series B Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 7.625% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | TWO PRB |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series C Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 7.25% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | TWO PRC |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series D Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 7.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | TWO PRD |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series E Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | TWO PRE |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
