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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 302,533	$ 897,215	$ 2,191,156	$ 1,557,371
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,349	117,136	117,304	117,106
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.58	$ 7.66	$ 18.68	$ 13.30
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 302,533	$ 897,215	$ 2,191,156	$ 1,557,371
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,349	117,136	117,304	117,106
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	434	733	493	643
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,783	117,869	117,797	117,749
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.57	$ 7.61	$ 18.60	$ 13.23