Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation									$ 533,228	$ 693,562	$ 54,850
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	106,037	105,999	105,961	105,799	106,042	107,315	109,671	110,681	105,949	108,427	110,914
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.85	$ 1.46	$ 1.46	$ 1.26	$ 1.22	$ 1.21	$ 2.76	$ 1.19	$ 5.03	$ 6.40	$ 0.49
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans									372	1,031	1,466
Weighted-average common shares for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	106,314	106,299	106,316	106,356	107,005	108,302	110,659	111,867	106,321	109,458	112,380
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.85	$ 1.46	$ 1.45	$ 1.26	$ 1.21	$ 1.20	$ 2.73	$ 1.18	$ 5.02	$ 6.34	$ 0.49