Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments	$ (0.7)	$ (1.2)	$ (0.9)	$ 0
Shareholding pattern
Beginning Balance			2,648.6
Net income	(21.2)	52.5	126.4	210.3
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.7	0.3	2.1	0.2
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff			(17.6)
Net Income attributable to The Timken Company	(21.9)	52.2	124.3	210.1
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment (net of the income tax benefit of $17.6 million)	15.4	14.3	1.9	71.1
Dividends - $0.75 per share			(68.2)
Stockholders' Equity Note, Spinoff Transaction			(813.6)
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation			6.4
Stock-based compensation expense			20.6
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock			(266.5)	(107.3)
Stock option exercise activity			16.6
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)			0.9
Shares surrendered for taxes			(10.7)
Ending Balance	1,643.9		1,643.9
Stated Capital [Member]
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments
Shareholding pattern
Beginning Balance			53.1
Net income
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment (net of the income tax benefit of $17.6 million)
Dividends - $0.75 per share
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation
Stock-based compensation expense
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock
Stock option exercise activity
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)
Shares surrendered for taxes
Ending Balance	53.1		53.1
Other Paid-In Capital [Member]
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments
Shareholding pattern
Beginning Balance			896.4
Net income
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment (net of the income tax benefit of $17.6 million)
Dividends - $0.75 per share
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation			6.4
Stock-based compensation expense			20.6
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock
Stock option exercise activity			(23.7)
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)			(4.1)
Shares surrendered for taxes
Ending Balance	895.6		895.6
Earnings Invested in the Business [Member]
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments
Shareholding pattern
Beginning Balance			2,586.4
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment (net of the income tax benefit of $17.6 million)
Dividends - $0.75 per share			(68.2)
Stockholders' Equity Note, Spinoff Transaction			(1,047.7)
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation
Stock-based compensation expense
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock
Stock option exercise activity
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)
Shares surrendered for taxes
Ending Balance	1,594.8		1,594.8
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) [Member]
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments			(0.9)
Shareholding pattern
Beginning Balance			(626.1)
Net income
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff			(17.5)
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment (net of the income tax benefit of $17.6 million)			1.9
Dividends - $0.75 per share
Stockholders' Equity Note, Spinoff Transaction			234.1
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation
Stock-based compensation expense
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock
Stock option exercise activity
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)
Shares surrendered for taxes
Ending Balance	(408.5)		(408.5)
Treasury Stock [Member]
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments
Shareholding pattern
Beginning Balance			(273.2)
Net income
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment (net of the income tax benefit of $17.6 million)
Dividends - $0.75 per share
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation
Stock-based compensation expense
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock			(266.5)
Stock option exercise activity			40.3
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)			5.0
Shares surrendered for taxes			(10.7)
Ending Balance	(505.1)		(505.1)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments
Shareholding pattern
Beginning Balance			12.0
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff			(0.1)
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment (net of the income tax benefit of $17.6 million)
Dividends - $0.75 per share
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation
Stock-based compensation expense
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock
Stock option exercise activity
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)
Shares surrendered for taxes
Ending Balance	$ 14.0		$ 14.0