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, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 1,238,580	$ 253,383
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,232	117,066
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 10.57	$ 2.16
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 1,238,580	$ 253,383
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,232	117,066
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	609	587
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,841	117,653
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 10.51	$ 2.15