Cover Page - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-1169
Entity Registrant Name	TIMKEN CO
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity Tax Identification Number	34-0577130
Entity Address, Address Line One	4500 Mount Pleasant Street NW
Entity Address, City or Town	North Canton
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	44720-5450
City Area Code	234
Local Phone Number	262.3000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, without par value
Trading Symbol	TKR
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 2,974,671,799
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		75,710,735
Entity Central Index Key	0000098362
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		75,710,735