Quarterly Results - Unaudited (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

			First		Second		Third		Fourth
			Quarter (1)		Quarter (2)		Quarter (3)		Quarter (4)
2017
	Net sales		$	194,909	$	201,183	$	212,918	$	211,072
	Gross profit			70,887		71,835		74,776		73,997
	Operating income			13,758		17,903		14,009		17,074
	Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			6,992		11,906		11,142		(9,762)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Basic (5)	$	0.53	$	0.90	$	0.84	$	(0.73)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Diluted (5)	$	0.52	$	0.89	$	0.83	$	(0.73)
2016
	Net sales		$	178,077	$	186,915	$	190,428	$	191,245
	Gross profit			67,981		71,401		70,897		69,831
	Operating income			19,838		22,701		21,863		20,951
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			12,946		15,015		16,008		17,434
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Basic (5)	$	0.98	$	1.13	$	1.21	$	1.31
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Diluted (5)	$	0.98	$	1.13	$	1.21	$	1.31