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, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 2,448	$ 1,238,580
Dividends, Preferred Stock	(11,584)	0
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders	$ (9,136)	$ 1,238,580
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,451	117,232
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.08)	$ 10.57
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 2,448	$ 1,238,580
Dividends, Preferred Stock	(11,584)	0
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted	$ (9,136)	$ 1,238,580
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,451	117,232
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	0	609
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,451	117,841
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.08)	$ 10.51