Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ 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
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income from continuing operations	$ 50,304	$ 114,512	$ 95,586	$ 218,236	$ 169,275	[1]	$ 59,842	$ 49,218	$ 49,253	$ 478,638	$ 327,588	$ 230,437
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests										(37,094)	(25,158)	(27,590)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation										$ 441,544	$ 302,430	$ 202,847
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,487	112,429	112,339	112,260	112,207		112,202	112,189	108,130	112,379	111,182	78,696
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.37	$ 0.93	$ 0.74	$ 1.88	$ 1.43	[1]	$ 0.48	$ 0.37	$ 0.42	$ 3.93	$ 2.72	$ 2.57
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans										860	374	406
Weighted-average common shares for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	113,563	113,448	113,175	112,770	112,608		112,544	112,607	108,464	113,239	111,556	79,102
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.37	$ 0.93	$ 0.74	$ 1.87	$ 1.43	[1]	$ 0.48	$ 0.37	$ 0.42	$ 3.9	$ 2.71	$ 2.57

[1] The fourth quarter of 2015 includes an income tax benefit of $43.1 million primarily related to the release of certain tax reserves associated with lapses in statutes of limitations and audit closures.