Earnings Per Share - Diluted (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
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
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
Less: income allocated to participating securities									(252)	(137)	(514)
Net income available to common shareholders									$ 59,221	$ 20,141	$ 60,889
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding									13,268,047	13,204,872	13,136,138
Effect of Dilutive Securities									36,685	41,074	24,331
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding									13,304,732	13,245,946	13,160,469
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.58	$ 1.47	$ 1.44	$ 0.95	$ (0.73)	$ 0.83	$ 0.89	$ 0.52	$ 4.45	$ 1.52	$ 4.63