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, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 406,773	$ 424,600	$ 660,156	$ 520,277
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,116	116,809	117,091	114,700
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.47	$ 3.63	$ 5.64	$ 4.54
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 406,773	$ 424,600	$ 660,156	$ 520,277
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,116	116,809	117,091	114,700
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	608	627	598	683
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,724	117,436	117,689	115,383
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.46	$ 3.62	$ 5.61	$ 4.51