Cover Document - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 18, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K/A
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-12658
Entity Registrant Name	ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	VA
Entity Tax Identification Number	54-1692118
Entity Address, Address Line One	4250 Congress Street, Suite 900
Entity Address, City or Town	Charlotte
Entity Address, State or Province	NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	28209
City Area Code	980
Local Phone Number	299-5700
Title of 12(b) Security	COMMON STOCK, $.01 Par Value
Trading Symbol	ALB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 7.5
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		106,206,157
Amendment Flag	true
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0000915913
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31