Earnings Per Share - Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 33,570	$ (7,735)	$ 72,185	$ (36,116)
Less: income allocated to participating securities	(134)	37	(287)	146
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 33,436	$ (7,698)	$ 71,898	$ (35,970)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	17,802,366	17,697,496	17,793,915	17,685,010
Effect of Dilutive Securities	47,155	0	52,095	0
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	17,849,521	17,697,496	17,846,010	17,685,010
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.88	$ (0.43)	$ 4.03	$ (2.03)