Earnings Per Share - Basic (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ (28,381)	$ 13,844
Less: loss (income) allocated to participating securities	101	(46)
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$ (28,280)	$ 13,798
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	17,672,525	13,291,589
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$ (1.60)	$ 1.04