Quarterly Results - Unaudited (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
Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 391,294	$ 325,130	$ 205,869	$ 211,210	$ 211,481	$ 222,022	$ 221,962	$ 212,055	$ 1,133,503	$ 867,520	$ 820,082
Gross Profit	136,132	105,057	75,161	75,767	74,838	81,093	80,937	75,447	392,117	312,314	291,495
Operating income	20,276	(14,502)	20,531	19,829	20,068	24,919	22,563	20,231	46,134	87,781	62,744
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
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation common shareholders - basic	$ 0.86	$ (0.80)	$ 1.17	$ 1.04	$ 0.59	$ 1.48	$ 1.44	$ 0.96	$ 2.08	$ 4.46	$ 1.53
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation common shareholders - diluted	$ 0.86	$ (0.80)	$ 1.17	$ 1.03	$ 0.58	$ 1.47	$ 1.44	$ 0.95	$ 2.08	$ 4.45	$ 1.52