Earnings Per Share - Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ (9,762)	$ 11,142	$ 11,906	$ 6,992	$ 17,434	$ 16,008	$ 15,015	$ 12,946	$ 20,278	$ 61,403	$ 51,180
Less: income allocated to participating securities									137	514	443
Net income available to common shareholders									$ 20,141	$ 60,889	$ 50,737
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding									13,204,872	13,136,138	13,199,630
Effect of Dilutive Securities									41,074	24,331	15,219
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding									13,245,946	13,160,469	13,214,849
Diluted earnings per common share	$ (0.73)	$ 0.83	$ 0.89	$ 0.52	$ 1.31	$ 1.21	$ 1.13	$ 0.98	$ 1.52	$ 4.63	$ 3.84