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, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ (188,198)	$ 650,043	$ (185,750)	$ 1,888,623
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends	(41,688)	0	(53,272)	0
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders	$ (229,886)	$ 650,043	$ (239,022)	$ 1,888,623
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,528	117,332	117,489	117,282
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ (1.96)	$ 5.54	$ (2.03)	$ 16.10
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ (188,198)	$ 650,043	$ (185,750)	$ 1,888,623
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends	(41,688)	0	(53,272)	0
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders	$ (229,886)	$ 650,043	$ (239,022)	$ 1,888,623
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,528	117,332	117,489	117,282
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	0	437	0	523
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,528	117,769	117,489	117,805
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ (1.96)	$ 5.52	$ (2.03)	$ 16.03