Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TIMKEN CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000098362
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Public Float | $	$ 3,408,380,507
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | shares	75,565,361