Earnings Per Share - Basic (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 38,615	$ (28,381)
Less: (income) loss allocated to participating securities	(154)	101
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 38,461	$ (28,280)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	17,785,370	17,672,525
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$ 2.16	$ (1.60)