Earnings Per Share - Diluted (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 13,619	$ 12,365
Less: Income Allocated to Participating Securities	(111)	(198)
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders	$ 13,508	$ 12,167
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	13,001,963	12,730,682
Effect of Dilutive Securities	29,937	121,210
Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	13,031,900	12,851,892
Diluted Earnings per Common Share	$ 1.04	$ 0.95

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests.

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- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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- Definition

Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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