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, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 424,600	$ 85,624	$ 520,277	$ 192,828
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	116,809	106,329	114,700	106,278
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.63	$ 0.81	$ 4.54	$ 1.81
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 424,600	$ 85,624	$ 520,277	$ 192,828
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	116,809	106,329	114,700	106,278
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	627	206	683	246
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,436	106,535	115,383	106,524
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.62	$ 0.80	$ 4.51	$ 1.81