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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000107140-04-000126.txt : 20040916
<SEC-HEADER>0000107140-04-000126.hdr.sgml : 20040916
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040916142340
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000107140-04-000126
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040916
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040916
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040916

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WILEY BRADFORD II
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001203434

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11507
		FILM NUMBER:		041033466

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		JOHN WILEY & SONS INC
		STREET 2:		111 RIVER STREET
		CITY:			HOBOKEN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07030

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WILEY JOHN & SONS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000107140
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BOOKS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING AND PRINTING [2731]
		IRS NUMBER:				135593032
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0430

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		111 RIVER STREET
		CITY:			HOBOKEN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07030
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2017486000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		111 RIVER STREET
		CITY:			HOBOKEN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07030
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-09-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000107140</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WILEY JOHN &amp; SONS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>jwa</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001203434</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WILEY BRADFORD II</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>111 RIVER STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOBOKEN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07030</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-09-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>539</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>32.45</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1079791</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Annual award issued pursuant to the Amended 1990 Director Stock Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Josephine Bacchi for Bradford Wiley</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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