Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ (1,179,449)	$ 1,573,476	$ 2,689,816
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends	(136,647)	0	0
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders, basic	(1,316,096)	1,573,476	2,689,816
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders, diluted	$ (1,316,096)	$ 1,573,476	$ 2,689,816
Weighted-average common shares for basic (loss) earnings per share (in shares)	117,516	117,317	117,120
Basic (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (11.20)	$ 13.41	$ 22.97
incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	0	449	673
Weighted-average common shares for diluted (loss) earnings per share (in shares)	117,516	117,766	117,793
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (11.20)	$ 13.36	$ 22.84