The invention provides a clamping device for machine tools capable of preventing the occurrence of impressions. In a clamping device for machine tools, a tailstock (movable carriage) is provided on a top face of a fixed bed and the tailstock is positioned and fixed with respect to the fixed bed. The tailstock is supported by linear-motion bearings (guides) which are disposed between the tailstock and the fixed bed. Blocks are slidably engaged with rails extending in the travel direction with rollers interposed between them. Further, a recess portion extending in the travel direction is formed in the top surface of the fixed bed. A cylinder mechanism is arranged so that left and right inner walls in the recess portion are pressed by a pair of pistons provided on the undersurface of a headstock.