-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 preF+6Pqz+ecN5rB8ieN9w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000004281-09-000024.txt : 20090127
<SEC-HEADER>0000004281-09-000024.hdr.sgml : 20090127
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090127160329
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000004281-09-000024
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090127
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090127

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GHOSN CARLOS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001184007

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03610
		FILM NUMBER:		09548236

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		201 ISABELLA STREET
		CITY:			PITTSBURGH
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15212-5858
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4125534707

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALCOA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000004281
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ROLLING DRAWING & EXTRUDING OF NONFERROUS METALS [3350]
		IRS NUMBER:				250317820
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		201 ISABELLA ST
		STREET 2:		ALCOA CORPORATE CTR
		CITY:			PITTSBURGH
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15212-5858
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4125532576

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		801 ISABELLA ST
		STREET 2:		ALCOA CORPORATE CTR
		CITY:			PITTSBURGH
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15212-5858

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ALUMINUM CO OF AMERICA
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>1</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000004281</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALCOA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001184007</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GHOSN CARLOS</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>201 ISABELLA STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PITTSBURGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15212</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-11-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value>L</value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>50</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-11-13</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-11-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>50</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Granted under the Directors Plan:  &quot;You Make a Difference Award.&quot;</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive the cash value of one share of Alcoa Inc. common stock on a 1-for-1 basis, payable in cash after a one-year vesting period.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Brenda Hart (Assistant Secretary), by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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