Earnings Per Share - Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 27,304	$ (13,053)	$ (8,812)	$ 16,382
Less: (income) loss allocated to participating securities	(113)	46	44	(40)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 27,191	$ (13,007)	$ (8,768)	$ 16,342
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	17,743,538	16,185,724	17,704,662	14,271,121
Effect of dilutive securities	57,327	0	0	42,850
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	17,800,865	16,185,724	17,704,662	14,313,971
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$ 1.53	$ (0.80)	$ (0.50)	$ 1.14