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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 129,745	$ 118,670	$ 563,966	$ 273,216
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	107,315	110,476	109,223	111,049
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.21	$ 1.07	$ 5.16	$ 2.46
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 129,745	$ 118,670	$ 563,966	$ 273,216
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	107,315	110,476	109,223	111,049
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	987	1,499	1,053	1,407
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	108,302	111,975	110,276	112,456
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.20	$ 1.06	$ 5.11	$ 2.43