Earnings Per Share - Basic (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ (7,735)	$ 15,591	$ (36,116)	$ 29,435
Less: (Loss) income allocated to participating securities	37	(34)	146	(81)
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$ (7,698)	$ 15,557	$ (35,970)	$ 29,354
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	17,697,496	13,304,248	17,685,010	13,297,953
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$ (0.43)	$ 1.17	$ (2.03)	$ 2.21