Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	$ (0.8)	$ (2.3)
Common Stock, Value, Issued	53.1		$ 53.1
Treasury Stock, Value	869.2		891.7
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	33.7		31.2
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	0.5
Shareholding pattern
Beginning Balance	1,310.9
Net income	38.1	65.8
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.1)	(0.1)
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff	20.4
Net Income (loss) attributable to The Timken Company	38.2	65.9
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment (net of the income tax benefit of $1.5 million)	0.1	0.4
Dividends - $0.26 per share	(20.3)
Stock-based compensation expense	5.6
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	(8.1)	(35.0)
Stock option exercise activity	(16.6)
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)	0.0
Shares surrendered for taxes	(8.2)	(1.5)
Ending Balance	1,354.8
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock	891.7		906.9
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	1,306.3		1,289.3
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(60.8)	$ (42.4)	$ (77.9)	$ (54.6)
Stated Capital [Member]
Shareholding pattern
Ending Balance	53.1
Other Paid-In Capital [Member]
Shareholding pattern
Stock-based compensation expense	5.6
Stock option exercise activity	(7.4)
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)	(14.8)
Ending Balance	891.7
Earnings Invested in the Business [Member]
Shareholding pattern
Dividends - $0.26 per share	(20.3)
Ending Balance	1,306.3
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	(0.8)
Shareholding pattern
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff	17.8
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment (net of the income tax benefit of $1.5 million)	0.1
Ending Balance	(60.8)
Treasury Stock [Member]
Shareholding pattern
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	(8.1)
Stock option exercise activity	(24.0)
Restricted shares surrendered (issued)	14.8
Shares surrendered for taxes	(8.2)
Ending Balance	(869.2)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Shareholding pattern
Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, net of Tax, net of Spinoff	2.6
Ending Balance	33.7
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	(0.9)
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member] | Stated Capital [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	$ 1.4