Earnings Per Share - Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 15,240	$ (13,053)	$ 15,591	$ 13,844	$ 7,805	$ 19,690	$ 19,246	$ 12,732	$ 31,622	$ 59,473	$ 20,278
Less: income allocated to participating securities									(90)	(252)	(137)
Net income available to common shareholders									$ 31,532	$ 59,221	$ 20,141
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding									15,126,928	13,268,047	13,204,872
Effect of Dilutive Securities									36,243	36,685	41,074
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding									15,163,171	13,304,732	13,245,946
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.86	$ (0.80)	$ 1.17	$ 1.03	$ 0.58	$ 1.47	$ 1.44	$ 0.95	$ 2.08	$ 4.45	$ 1.52