Earnings Per Share - Earnings per Share Calculations Basic (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 31,058	$ 27,304	$ 103,243	$ (8,812)
Less: (income) loss allocated to participating securities	(119)	(113)	(413)	44
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 30,939	$ 27,191	$ 102,830	$ (8,768)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	17,812,216	17,743,538	17,800,082	17,704,662
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$ 1.74	$ 1.53	$ 5.78	$ (0.50)