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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 85,624	$ 154,198	$ 192,828	$ 287,767
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	106,329	105,961	106,278	105,880
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.81	$ 1.46	$ 1.81	$ 2.72
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 85,624	$ 154,198	$ 192,828	$ 287,767
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	106,329	105,961	106,278	105,880
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	206	355	246	456
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,535	106,316	106,524	106,336
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 1.45	$ 1.81	$ 2.71