| Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] | 2022 Pay Versus Performance Table Year Summary Compensation Table Total for First PEO (1) Summary Compensation Table Total for Second PEO (1) Compensation Actually Paid to First PEO (1)(3) Compensation Actually Paid to Second PEO (1)(3) Average Summary Compensation Table Total for non-PEO NEOs (2) Average Compensation Actually Paid to non-PEO NEOs (2)(3) Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on: Net Income ($MM) Adjusted EBITDA ($MM) (5) Total Shareholder Return (4) Peer Group Total Shareholder Return (4) 2022 $ 11,118,156 N/A $ 13,714,085 N/A $ 2,964,344 $ 3,084,055 $ 306 $ 107 $ 2,474 $ 3,403 2021 $ 9,040,753 N/A $ 20,335,113 N/A $ 2,516,658 $ 8,987,310 $ 328 $ 145 $ 199.9 $ 871.0 2020 $ 4,939,369 $ 3,828,474 $ 9,726,632 $ 5,585,398 $ 2,891,776 $ 7,130,736 $ 205 $ 115 $ 446.6 $ 819.0 | | |
| Company Selected Measure Name | Adjusted EBITDA | | |
| Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] | “First PEO” represents J. Kent Masters, Jr., who was appointed CEO on April 20, 2020. The “Second PEO” represents Luther C. Kissam, IV, who served as CEO until April 20, 2020The non-PEO NEOs for each applicable year are as follows: a. 2022: Scott A. Tozier, Eric W. Norris, Netha N. Johnson, Jr., and Kristin M. Coleman b. 2021: Scott A. Tozier, Eric W. Norris, Netha N. Johnson, Jr., and Karen G. Narwold c. 2020: Scott A. Tozier, Eric W. Norris, Netha N. Johnson, Jr., and Raphael G. Crawford | | |
| Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] | SEC rules require certain adjustments be made to the Summary Compensation Table totals to determine CAP as reported in the Pay Versus Performance Table above. The following table details the applicable adjustments that were made to Summary Compensation Table totals to determine CAP after deducting the Summary Compensation Table values for the aggregate change in value of pension plans and the grant-date fair value of stock awards and option awards. The fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of stock awards and option awards was determined by reference to (x) for RSU awards, the closing price of our common stock on the applicable measurement date, (y) for PSU awards (excluding market-conditioned (relative TSR-based) PSU awards), the closing price of our common stock on the applicable measurement date multiplied by the probability of achievement as of such date and (z) for market-conditioned PSU awards, a Monte Carlo simulation as of the applicable measurement date. For stock options, the fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, was determined using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The model references the closing stock price, in addition to the stock option’s strike price, expected life, volatility, expected dividend yield, and risk-free rate as of the measurement date. Year Pension Equity Awards Pension Service Cost Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total Compensation Total Equity Award Adjustments First PEO 2022 N/A $ 10,703,637 $ (1,438,643) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 9,264,994 2021 N/A $ 12,148,336 $ 4,698,469 $ — $ 16,846,805 2020 N/A $ 8,036,152 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 8,036,152 Second PEO 2020 $ — $ — $ 5,156,805 $ — $ 1,000,440 $ (2,395,440) $ — $ 3,761,805 Non-PEO NEO Average 2022 N/A $ 2,074,181 $ 108,376 $ — $ (473,232) $ — $ — $ 1,709,325 2021 N/A $ 2,430,123 $ 4,931,320 $ — $ 219,908 $ — $ — $ 7,581,351 2020 N/A $ 3,528,166 $ 2,467,734 $ — $ 89,939 $ — $ — $ 6,085,839 | | |
| Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount | $ 2,964,344 | $ 2,516,658 | $ 2,891,776 |
| Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount | $ 3,084,055 | 8,987,310 | 7,130,736 |
| Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] | SEC rules require certain adjustments be made to the Summary Compensation Table totals to determine CAP as reported in the Pay Versus Performance Table above. The following table details the applicable adjustments that were made to Summary Compensation Table totals to determine CAP after deducting the Summary Compensation Table values for the aggregate change in value of pension plans and the grant-date fair value of stock awards and option awards. The fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of stock awards and option awards was determined by reference to (x) for RSU awards, the closing price of our common stock on the applicable measurement date, (y) for PSU awards (excluding market-conditioned (relative TSR-based) PSU awards), the closing price of our common stock on the applicable measurement date multiplied by the probability of achievement as of such date and (z) for market-conditioned PSU awards, a Monte Carlo simulation as of the applicable measurement date. For stock options, the fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, was determined using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The model references the closing stock price, in addition to the stock option’s strike price, expected life, volatility, expected dividend yield, and risk-free rate as of the measurement date. Year Pension Equity Awards Pension Service Cost Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total Compensation Total Equity Award Adjustments First PEO 2022 N/A $ 10,703,637 $ (1,438,643) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 9,264,994 2021 N/A $ 12,148,336 $ 4,698,469 $ — $ 16,846,805 2020 N/A $ 8,036,152 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 8,036,152 Second PEO 2020 $ — $ — $ 5,156,805 $ — $ 1,000,440 $ (2,395,440) $ — $ 3,761,805 Non-PEO NEO Average 2022 N/A $ 2,074,181 $ 108,376 $ — $ (473,232) $ — $ — $ 1,709,325 2021 N/A $ 2,430,123 $ 4,931,320 $ — $ 219,908 $ — $ — $ 7,581,351 2020 N/A $ 3,528,166 $ 2,467,734 $ — $ 89,939 $ — $ — $ 6,085,839 | | |
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] | | | |
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] | | | |
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] | | | |
| Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group [Text Block] | | | |
| Tabular List [Table Text Block] | Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted ROIC Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations | | |
| Total Shareholder Return Amount | $ 306 | 328 | 205 |
| Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount | 107 | 145 | 115 |
| Net Income (Loss) | $ 2,474 | $ 199.9 | $ 446.6 |
| Company Selected Measure Amount | 3,403 | 871 | 819 |
| PEO Name | J. Kent Masters, Jr. | J. Kent Masters, Jr. | Luther C. Kissam, IV |
| Additional 402(v) Disclosure [Text Block] | These columns represent cumulative Company TSR and peer group TSR. TSR is calculated by dividing the sum of the cumulative amount of dividends for each measurement period (2020, 2020-2021 and 2020-2022), assuming dividend reinvestment, and the difference between the Company’s or the peer group’s, as applicable, share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period by the Company’s or the peer group’s, as applicable, share price at the beginning of the measurement period | | |
| Measure [Axis]: 1 | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] | "Adjusted EBITDA" is defined as total Albemarle earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for non-recurring, non-operating, and special items | | |
| Equity Awards Granted During the Year, Unvested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | $ 2,074,181 | $ 2,430,123 | $ 3,528,166 |
| Masters Jr. [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | 11,118,156 | 9,040,753 | 4,939,369 |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | 13,714,085 | 20,335,113 | 9,726,632 |
| Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards Granted During the Year, Unvested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | $ 10,703,637 | 12,148,336 | 8,036,152 |
| Luther C. Kissam, IV [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | | | 3,828,474 |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | | | 5,585,398 |
| Luther C. Kissam, IV [Member] | Equity Awards Granted During the Year, Unvested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | | | 0 |
| PEO [Member] | Measure [Axis]: 1 | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Measure Name | Adjusted EBITDA | | |
| PEO [Member] | Measure [Axis]: 2 | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Measure Name | Adjusted ROIC | | |
| PEO [Member] | Measure [Axis]: 3 | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Measure Name | Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations | | |
| PEO [Member] | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Unvested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | $ (1,438,643) | 4,698,469 | 0 |
| PEO [Member] | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards Granted During the Year, Vested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PEO [Member] | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Vested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | 0 | | 0 |
| PEO [Member] | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | 0 | | 0 |
| PEO [Member] | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards, Value of Dividends and Other Earnings Paid Adjustment [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | 0 | | 0 |
| PEO [Member] | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Award Adjustments [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 9,264,994 | 16,846,805 | 8,036,152 |
| PEO [Member] | Luther C. Kissam, IV [Member] | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Unvested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | | | 5,156,805 |
| PEO [Member] | Luther C. Kissam, IV [Member] | Equity Awards Granted During the Year, Vested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | | | 0 |
| PEO [Member] | Luther C. Kissam, IV [Member] | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Vested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | | | 1,000,440 |
| PEO [Member] | Luther C. Kissam, IV [Member] | Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | | | (2,395,440) |
| PEO [Member] | Luther C. Kissam, IV [Member] | Equity Awards, Value of Dividends and Other Earnings Paid Adjustment [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | | | 0 |
| PEO [Member] | Luther C. Kissam, IV [Member] | Equity Award Adjustments [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | | | 3,761,805 |
| PEO [Member] | Luther C. Kissam, IV [Member] | Pension Adjustments, Service Cost [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | | | 0 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Unvested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | 108,376 | 4,931,320 | 2,467,734 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Equity Awards Granted During the Year, Vested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Vested [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | (473,232) | 219,908 | 89,939 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Equity Awards, Value of Dividends and Other Earnings Paid Adjustment [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Equity Award Adjustments [Member] | | | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | | | |
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | $ 1,709,325 | $ 7,581,351 | $ 6,085,839 |
