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, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 95,677	$ 107,204
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,592	106,227
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.85	$ 1.01
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 95,677	$ 107,204
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,592	106,227
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	738	285
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	113,330	106,512
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.84	$ 1.01