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, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 253,383	$ 95,677
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,066	112,592
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.16	$ 0.85
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 253,383	$ 95,677
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,066	112,592
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	587	738
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,653	113,330
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.15	$ 0.84