Securities, at Fair Value - Impact of AFS Securities on AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
AOCI from AFS Securities:
Unrealized gain on AFS securities at beginning of period	$ 36,919	$ 66,163	$ 46,833	$ 79,607
Unrealized (losses) on securities available-for-sale	(5,851)	(8,029)	(15,765)	(21,473)
Change in AOCI from AFS securities	(5,851)	(8,029)	(15,765)	(21,473)
Balance at end of period	31,068	58,134	31,068	58,134
Agency MBS
AOCI from AFS Securities:
Unrealized (losses) on securities available-for-sale	$ (5,851)	$ (8,029)	$ (15,765)	$ (21,473)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-For-Sale Securities Adjustment Excluding Cumulative Effect, Net Of Tax, Portion Attributable To Parent

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mfa_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentExcludingCumulativeEffectNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent
Namespace Prefix:	mfa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after tax, of accumulated unrealized gain (loss) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126968391&loc=d3e681-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after tax and before adjustment, of unrealized holding gain (loss) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). Excludes unrealized gain (loss) on investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity) from transfer to available-for-sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126968391&loc=SL7669646-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126968391&loc=d3e637-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: