Quarterly Financial Summary (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 921,699	$ 777,748	$ 853,874	$ 821,629	$ 857,789	$ 754,866	$ 737,258	$ 722,063	$ 3,374,950	$ 3,071,976	$ 2,677,203
Gross profit	320,384	280,537	311,356	304,979	303,703	275,657	271,960	254,956	1,217,256	1,106,276	970,306
(Gain) loss on sales of businesses, net	8,277	0	(218,705)	0					(210,428)	0	(122,298)
Net income (loss)	146,049	143,479	310,686	138,925	(207,071)	130,193	113,689	62,657	739,139	99,468	478,638
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(16,453)	(13,734)	(8,225)	(7,165)	(11,295)	(11,523)	(10,356)	(11,444)	(45,577)	(44,618)	(37,094)
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 129,596	$ 129,745	$ 302,461	$ 131,760	$ (218,366)	$ 118,670	$ 103,333	$ 51,213	$ 693,562	$ 54,850	$ 643,675
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.22	$ 1.21	$ 2.76	$ 1.19	$ (1.98)	$ 1.07	$ 0.93	$ 0.46	$ 6.40	$ 0.49	$ 3.93
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic (in shares)	106,042	107,315	109,671	110,681	110,510	110,476	110,686	111,986	108,427	110,914	112,379
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.21	$ 1.20	$ 2.73	$ 1.18	$ (1.95)	$ 1.06	$ 0.92	$ 0.45	$ 6.34	$ 0.49	$ 3.90
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted (in shares)	107,005	108,302	110,659	111,867	112,152	111,975	112,105	113,289	109,458	112,380	113,239