Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 19, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-09447
Entity Registrant Name	KAISER ALUMINUM CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	94-3030279
Entity Address, Address Line One	27422 Portola Parkway
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 200
Entity Address, City or Town	Foothill Ranch
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92610-2831
City Area Code	949
Local Phone Number	614-1740
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	KALU
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,812,169
Entity Central Index Key	0000811596
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false