Earnings Per Share - Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 17,434	$ 16,008	$ 15,015	$ 12,946	$ 11,393	$ 14,371	$ 15,038	$ 10,378	$ 61,403	$ 51,180	$ 56,492
Less: income allocated to participating securities									(514)	(443)	(503)
Net income available to common shareholders									$ 60,889	$ 50,737	$ 55,989
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding									13,136,138	13,199,630	13,126,759
Effect of Dilutive Securities									24,331	15,219	21,309
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding									13,160,469	13,214,849	13,148,068
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.31	$ 1.21	$ 1.13	$ 0.98	$ 0.86	$ 1.08	$ 1.13	$ 0.78	$ 4.63	$ 3.84	$ 4.26