Quarterly Results - Unaudited (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

			First		Second		Third		Fourth
			Quarter (1)		Quarter (2)		Quarter (3)		Quarter (4)
2019
	Net sales		$	211,210	$	205,869	$	325,130	$	391,294
	Gross profit			75,767		75,161		105,057		136,132
	Operating income (loss)			19,829		20,531		(14,502)		20,276
	Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			13,844		15,591		(13,053)		15,240
	Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Basic (5)	$	1.04	$	1.17	$	(0.80)	$	0.86
	Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Diluted (5)	$	1.03	$	1.17	$	(0.80)	$	0.86
2018
	Net sales		$	212,055	$	221,962	$	222,022	$	211,481
	Gross profit			75,447		80,937		81,093		74,838
	Operating income			20,231		22,563		24,919		20,068
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			12,732		19,246		19,690		7,805
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Basic (5)	$	0.96	$	1.44	$	1.48	$	0.59
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Diluted (5)	$	0.95	$	1.44	$	1.47	$	0.58