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, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 650,043	$ 406,773	$ 1,888,623	$ 660,156
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,332	117,116	117,282	117,091
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.54	$ 3.47	$ 16.10	$ 5.64
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 650,043	$ 406,773	$ 1,888,623	$ 660,156
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,332	117,116	117,282	117,091
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	437	608	523	598
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,769	117,724	117,805	117,689
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.52	$ 3.46	$ 16.03	$ 5.61