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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 UqVEdjpm7lkB7oLRx19KI3L2IXWBUIbqbi/2MB4yxF6bnX4hckuukebuPVw0GEn7
 LHS+YTDoTum830uEORaXdw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000012978-04-000212.txt : 20041102
<SEC-HEADER>0000012978-04-000212.hdr.sgml : 20041102
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041102182920
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000012978-04-000212
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041029
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041102
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041102

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OFFICEMAX INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000012978
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS [5110]
		IRS NUMBER:				820100960
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		150 PIERCE ROAD
		CITY:			ITASCA
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60143
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(630) 773-5000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		150 PIERCE ROAD
		CITY:			ITASCA
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60143

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BOISE CASCADE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VERO RYAN T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001219661

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05057
		FILM NUMBER:		041114414

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		OFFICEMAX INC
		STREET 2:		3605 WARRENSVILLE CENTER ROAD
		CITY:			SHAKER HEIGHTS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44122
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2164716900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		OFFICEMAX INC
		STREET 2:		3605 WARRENSVILLE CENTER ROAD
		CITY:			SHAKER HEIGHTS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44122
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-29</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000012978</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>OFFICEMAX INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>OMX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001219661</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VERO RYAN T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>OFFICEMAX INCORPORATED</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>150 PIERCE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ITASCA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60143</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Exec. V. P. - Merchandising</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12394</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>800.491</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k) Plan</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents number of shares beneficially owned as of October 29, 2004, based on information from the plan administrator.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Ryan T. Vero</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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