<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-02-23</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001464423</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PMT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001202210</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HALVORSEN CLAY A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O PENNYMAC MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3043 TOWNSGATE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WESTLAKE VILLAGE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91361</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares of Beneficial Interest</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-02-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5105</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>31118</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Reporting Person was granted 5,105 restricted share units.  The restricted share units, which vest in three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, are to be settled in an equal number of common shares of beneficial interest upon vesting.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The reported amount consists of 12,591 restricted share units and 18,527 common shares of beneficial interest.  The restricted share units are to be settled in an equal number of common shares of beneficial interest upon vesting.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Derek W. Stark, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Halvorsen</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-02-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
