Quarterly Results - Unaudited (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 191,245	$ 190,428	$ 186,915	$ 178,077	$ 183,275	$ 189,224	$ 183,726	$ 181,330	$ 746,665	$ 737,555	$ 765,860
Gross Profit	69,704	70,779	71,235	67,875	68,766	71,329	70,617	66,328
Operating income	20,385	21,339	22,093	19,234	13,223	18,728	21,445	17,864	83,051	71,260	77,356
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 17,434	$ 16,008	$ 15,015	$ 12,946	$ 11,393	$ 14,371	$ 15,038	$ 10,378	$ 61,403	$ 51,180	$ 56,492
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - basic	$ 1.31	$ 1.21	$ 1.13	$ 0.98	$ 0.86	$ 1.08	$ 1.13	$ 0.78	$ 4.64	$ 3.84	$ 4.27
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - diluted	$ 1.31	$ 1.21	$ 1.13	$ 0.98	$ 0.86	$ 1.08	$ 1.13	$ 0.78	$ 4.63	$ 3.84	$ 4.26