Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company in which a controlling interest is maintained. Investments in affiliated companies that the Company does not control, and the activities of which it is not the primary beneficiary, are accounted for using the equity method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation.
Revenue Recognition, Services, Commissions [Policy Text Block]	The Company recognizes revenue when title passes to the customer. This occurs at the shipping point except for goods sold by certain foreign entities and certain exported goods, where title passes when the goods reach their destination. Selling prices are fixed based on purchase orders or contractual arrangements. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in net sales and the related costs are included in cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company recognizes a portion of its revenues on the percentage-of-completion method measured on the cost-to-cost basis. In 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized approximately $50 million and $55 million, respectively, in net sales under the percentage-of-completion method.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Restricted Cash: Cash of $15.3 million and $15.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, was restricted for use for workers compensation claims.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts, which represents an estimate of the losses expected from the accounts receivable portfolio, to reduce accounts receivable to their net realizable value. The allowance is based upon historical trends in collections and write-offs, management’s judgment of the probability of collecting accounts and management’s evaluation of business risk. The Company extends credit to customers satisfying pre-defined credit criteria. The Company believes it has limited concentration of credit risk due to the diversity of its customer base.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The majority of domestic inventories are valued by the LIFO method and the balance of the Company's inventories is valued by the FIFO method.
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Short-term investments are investments with maturities between four months and one year and are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The Company held short-term investments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 with a fair value and cost basis of $8.4 million and $13.9 million, respectively, which were included in other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property, plant and equipment, net is valued at cost less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The provision for depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives are approximately 30 years for buildings, three to ten years for computer software and three to 20 years for machinery and equipment. The impairment of long-lived assets is evaluated when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset or related group of assets may not be recoverable. If the expected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized at that time to reduce the asset to the lower of its fair value or its net book value.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized on a straight-line method over their legal or estimated useful lives, with useful lives ranging from one to 20 years. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment at least annually. The Company performs its annual impairment test as of October 1, after the annual forecasting process is completed. Furthermore, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable in accordance with accounting rules related to goodwill and other intangible assets.
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company provides limited warranties on certain of its products. The Company accrues liabilities for warranties based upon specific claims and a review of historical warranty claim experience in accordance with accounting rules relating to contingent liabilities. The Company records and accounts for its warranty reserve based on specific claim incidents. Should the Company become aware of a specific potential warranty claim for which liability is probable and reasonably estimable, a specific charge is recorded and accounted for accordingly. Adjustments are made quarterly to the accruals as claim data and historical experience change.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company recognizes valuation allowances against deferred tax assets by tax jurisdiction when it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accruals for uncertain tax positions are provided for in accordance with ASC 740-10. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries, other than those located in highly inflationary countries, are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date; income and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The related translation adjustments are reflected as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions and the translation of financial statements of subsidiaries in highly inflationary countries are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company realized foreign currency exchange losses of $9.9 million, $9.1 million and $6.5 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company recognizes an overfunded status or underfunded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligations) as either an asset or a liability for its defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax. The adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss represents the current year net unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and unrecognized prior service costs. These amounts will be recognized in future periods as net periodic benefit cost.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value of the stock-based awards over their required vesting period. Stock options are issued with an exercise price equal to the opening market price of Timken common shares on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which incorporates assumptions regarding the expected volatility, the expected option life, the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend yield. The fair value of stock-based awards that will settle in Timken common shares, other than stock options, is based on the opening market price of Timken common shares on the grant date. The fair value of stock-based awards that will settle in cash are remeasured at each reporting period until settlement of the awards.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Unvested restricted shares provide for the payment of nonforfeitable dividends. The Company considers these awards as participating securities. Earnings per share are computed using the two-class method. Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income less undistributed earnings allocated to unvested restricted shares by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income less undistributed earnings allocated to unvested restricted shares by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted for the dilutive impact of outstanding stock-based awards.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company recognizes all derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. If the derivative is designated and qualifies as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive loss until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The Company’s holdings of forward foreign currency exchange contracts qualify as derivatives pursuant to the criteria established in derivative accounting guidance, and the Company has designated certain of those derivatives as hedges.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." ASU 2014-09 introduces a new five-step revenue recognition model in which an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires disclosures sufficient to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. This new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2014-09 on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360)." ASU 2014-08 amends the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations or that have a major effect on the Company's operations and financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. This new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2014-08 on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists." ASU 2013-11 clarifies guidance and eliminates diversity in practice on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. This accounting guidance is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect recent experience.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Certain amounts reported in the 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements for amounts related to the Company's former steel business have been reclassified to discontinued operations to reflect the Spinoff. In addition, certain amounts reported in the 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements for segment results have been reclassified to conform to the new segment presentation.
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company in which a controlling interest is maintained. Investments in affiliated companies that the Company does not control, and the activities of which it is not the primary beneficiary, are accounted for using the equity method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes revenue when title passes to the customer. This occurs at the shipping point except for goods sold by certain foreign entities and certain exported goods, where title passes when the goods reach their destination. Selling prices are fixed based on purchase orders or contractual arrangements. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in net sales and the related costs are included in cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company recognizes a portion of its revenues on the percentage-of-completion method measured on the cost-to-cost basis. In 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized approximately $50 million and $55 million, respectively, in net sales under the percentage-of-completion method. Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Restricted Cash: Cash of $15.3 million and $15.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, was restricted for use for workers compensation claims. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts, which represents an estimate of the losses expected from the accounts receivable portfolio, to reduce accounts receivable to their net realizable value. The allowance is based upon historical trends in collections and write-offs, management’s judgment of the probability of collecting accounts and management’s evaluation of business risk. The Company extends credit to customers satisfying pre-defined credit criteria. The Company believes it has limited concentration of credit risk due to the diversity of its customer base. Inventories: Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The majority of domestic inventories are valued by the LIFO method and the balance of the Company's inventories is valued by the FIFO method. Investments: Short-term investments are investments with maturities between four months and one year and are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The Company held short-term investments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 with a fair value and cost basis of $8.4 million and $13.9 million, respectively, which were included in other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment, net is valued at cost less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The provision for depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives are approximately 30 years for buildings, three to ten years for computer software and three to 20 years for machinery and equipment. The impairment of long-lived assets is evaluated when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset or related group of assets may not be recoverable. If the expected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized at that time to reduce the asset to the lower of its fair value or its net book value. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized on a straight-line method over their legal or estimated useful lives, with useful lives ranging from one to 20 years. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment at least annually. The Company performs its annual impairment test as of October 1, after the annual forecasting process is completed. Furthermore, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable in accordance with accounting rules related to goodwill and other intangible assets. Product Warranties: The Company provides limited warranties on certain of its products. The Company accrues liabilities for warranties based upon specific claims and a review of historical warranty claim experience in accordance with accounting rules relating to contingent liabilities. The Company records and accounts for its warranty reserve based on specific claim incidents. Should the Company become aware of a specific potential warranty claim for which liability is probable and reasonably estimable, a specific charge is recorded and accounted for accordingly. Adjustments are made quarterly to the accruals as claim data and historical experience change. Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company recognizes valuation allowances against deferred tax assets by tax jurisdiction when it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accruals for uncertain tax positions are provided for in accordance with ASC 740-10. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. Foreign Currency: Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries, other than those located in highly inflationary countries, are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date; income and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The related translation adjustments are reflected as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions and the translation of financial statements of subsidiaries in highly inflationary countries are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company realized foreign currency exchange losses of $9.9 million, $9.1 million and $6.5 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits: The Company recognizes an overfunded status or underfunded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligations) as either an asset or a liability for its defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax. The adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss represents the current year net unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and unrecognized prior service costs. These amounts will be recognized in future periods as net periodic benefit cost. Stock-Based Compensation: The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value of the stock-based awards over their required vesting period. Stock options are issued with an exercise price equal to the opening market price of Timken common shares on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which incorporates assumptions regarding the expected volatility, the expected option life, the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend yield. The fair value of stock-based awards that will settle in Timken common shares, other than stock options, is based on the opening market price of Timken common shares on the grant date. The fair value of stock-based awards that will settle in cash are remeasured at each reporting period until settlement of the awards. Earnings Per Share: Unvested restricted shares provide for the payment of nonforfeitable dividends. The Company considers these awards as participating securities. Earnings per share are computed using the two-class method. Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income less undistributed earnings allocated to unvested restricted shares by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income less undistributed earnings allocated to unvested restricted shares by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted for the dilutive impact of outstanding stock-based awards. Derivative Instruments: The Company recognizes all derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. If the derivative is designated and qualifies as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive loss until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The Company’s holdings of forward foreign currency exchange contracts qualify as derivatives pursuant to the criteria established in derivative accounting guidance, and the Company has designated certain of those derivatives as hedges. Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." ASU 2014-09 introduces a new five-step revenue recognition model in which an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires disclosures sufficient to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. This new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2014-09 on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360)." ASU 2014-08 amends the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations or that have a major effect on the Company's operations and financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. This new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2014-08 on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists." ASU 2013-11 clarifies guidance and eliminates diversity in practice on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. This accounting guidance is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this accounting guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect recent experience. Reclassifications: Certain amounts reported in the 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements for amounts related to the Company's former steel business have been reclassified to discontinued operations to reflect the Spinoff. In addition, certain amounts reported in the 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements for segment results have been reclassified to conform to the new segment presentation.