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, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 133,569	$ 131,760
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	105,799	110,681
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.26	$ 1.19
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 133,569	$ 131,760
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	105,799	110,681
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	557	1,186
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,356	111,867
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.26	$ 1.18