Earnings Per Share Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 228,186	$ 43,115
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,260	108,130
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 2.03	$ 0.40
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 228,186	$ 43,115
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,260	108,130
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	510	334
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	112,770	108,464
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 2.02	$ 0.40

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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