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, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 155,070	$ 129,745	$ 442,837	$ 563,966
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	105,999	107,315	105,920	109,223
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.46	$ 1.21	$ 4.18	$ 5.16
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 155,070	$ 129,745	$ 442,837	$ 563,966
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	105,999	107,315	105,920	109,223
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	300	987	404	1,053
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,299	108,302	106,324	110,276
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.46	$ 1.20	$ 4.16	$ 5.11