Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 123,672	$ 375,764	$ 533,228
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	115,841	106,402	105,949
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.07	$ 3.53	$ 5.03
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans	695	406	372
Weighted-average common shares for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	116,536	106,808	106,321
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.06	$ 3.52	$ 5.02