Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	$ (1.4)	$ 0.7	$ (2.2)	$ (1.6)
Common Stock, Value, Issued	53.1		53.1			$ 53.1
Treasury Stock, Value	877.1		877.1			891.7
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	32.6		32.6			31.2
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	0.5		0.5
Shareholding pattern
Beginning Balance			1,310.9
Net income	82.0	48.2	120.1	114.0
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.5)	0.0	(0.6)	(0.1)
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff			31.9
Net Income (loss) attributable to The Timken Company	82.5	48.2	120.7	114.1
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment (net of the income tax benefit of $1.5 million)	0.0	0.4	0.1	0.8
Dividends - $0.26 per share			(41.4)
Stock-based compensation expense			10.4
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock			(27.0)	(68.2)
Stock option exercise activity			(25.7)
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)			0.0
Shares surrendered for taxes			(9.4)	(1.5)
Ending Balance	1,419.6		1,419.6
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock	893.4		893.4			906.9
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	1,367.7		1,367.7			1,289.3
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(50.1)	$ (55.2)	(50.1)	$ (55.2)	$ (60.8)	$ (77.9)	$ (42.4)	$ (54.6)
Stated Capital [Member]
Shareholding pattern
Ending Balance	53.1		53.1
Other Paid-In Capital [Member]
Shareholding pattern
Stock-based compensation expense			10.4
Stock option exercise activity			(9.4)
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)			(15.9)
Ending Balance	893.4		893.4
Earnings Invested in the Business [Member]
Shareholding pattern
Dividends - $0.26 per share			(41.4)
Ending Balance	1,367.7		1,367.7
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax			(2.2)
Shareholding pattern
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff			29.9
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment (net of the income tax benefit of $1.5 million)			0.1
Ending Balance	(50.1)		(50.1)
Treasury Stock [Member]
Shareholding pattern
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock			(27.0)
Stock option exercise activity			(35.1)
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)			15.9
Shares surrendered for taxes			(9.4)
Ending Balance	(877.1)		(877.1)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Shareholding pattern
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff			2.0
Ending Balance	32.6		32.6
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	(0.9)		(0.9)
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member] | Stated Capital [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	$ 1.4		$ 1.4