Quarterly Results - Unaudited (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 211,481	$ 222,022	$ 221,962	$ 212,055	$ 211,072	$ 212,918	$ 201,183	$ 194,909	$ 867,520	$ 820,082	$ 746,665
Gross Profit	74,838	81,093	80,937	75,447	73,997	74,776	71,835	70,887
Operating income	20,068	24,919	22,563	20,231	17,074	14,009	17,903	13,758	87,781	62,744	85,353
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 7,805	$ 19,690	$ 19,246	$ 12,732	$ (9,762)	$ 11,142	$ 11,906	$ 6,992	$ 59,473	$ 20,278	$ 61,403
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - basic	$ 0.59	$ 1.48	$ 1.44	$ 0.96	$ (0.73)	$ 0.84	$ 0.9	$ 0.53	$ 4.46	$ 1.53	$ 4.64
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - diluted	$ 0.58	$ 1.47	$ 1.44	$ 0.95	$ (0.73)	$ 0.83	$ 0.89	$ 0.52	$ 4.45	$ 1.52	$ 4.63