Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 24, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	LSB INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000060714
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	1-7677
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	73-1015226
Entity Address, Address Line One	3503 NW 63rd Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 500
Entity Address, City or Town	Oklahoma City
Entity Address, State or Province	OK
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	73116
City Area Code	405
Local Phone Number	235-4546
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,317,168
Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Trading Symbol	LXU
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, Par Value $.10
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Preferred Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
No Trading Symbol Flag	true
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Security Exchange Name	NYSE