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, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 131,760	$ 51,213
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	110,681	111,986
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.19	$ 0.46
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 131,760	$ 51,213
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	110,681	111,986
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	1,186	1,303
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	111,867	113,289
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.18	$ 0.45