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, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 98,301	$ 155,070	$ 291,129	$ 442,837
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	106,386	105,999	106,314	105,920
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.92	$ 1.46	$ 2.74	$ 4.18
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 98,301	$ 155,070	$ 291,129	$ 442,837
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	106,386	105,999	106,314	105,920
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	487	300	326	404
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,873	106,299	106,640	106,324
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.92	$ 1.46	$ 2.73	$ 4.16