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, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 107,204	$ 133,569
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	106,227	105,799
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ 1.26
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 107,204	$ 133,569
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	106,227	105,799
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	285	557
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,512	106,356
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ 1.26