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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-10-059572.txt : 20101210
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-10-059572.hdr.sgml : 20101210
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20101210111628
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-10-059572
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20101208
FILED AS OF DATE:		20101210
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20101210

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BACHMAN BRIAN R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001198932

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09965
		FILM NUMBER:		101244012

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2536 ALKI AVE SW #220
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98116

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000054991
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INSTRUMENTS FOR MEAS & TESTING OF ELECTRICITY & ELEC SIGNALS [3825]
		IRS NUMBER:				340794417
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		28775 AURORA RD
		CITY:			SOLON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44139
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2162480400
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
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        <issuerName>KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS INC</issuerName>
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            <rptOwnerName>BACHMAN BRIAN R</rptOwnerName>
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            <rptOwnerStreet2>28775 AURORA ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SOLON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44139</rptOwnerZipCode>
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    <derivativeTable>
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                    <value>10000</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>2.37</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-08-17</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-02-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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        <derivativeTransaction>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-12-08</value>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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                    <value>10000</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.90</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-08-16</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-02-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stk</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-08-15</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-14</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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            <securityTitle>
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                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
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                <value></value>
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                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.93</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-05-13</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-02-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Disposed of pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 29, 2010 (the &quot;Merger Agreement&quot;) by and among Danaher Corporation, Aegean Acquisition Corp. and the Issuer in exchange for the merger consideration of $21.60 in cash per share.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">IRA</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The options were cancelled pursuant to the Merger Agreement.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The options were cancelled pursuant to the Merger Agreement in exchange for the merger consideration of $21.60 in cash per share, less the exercise price per share of $19.23.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">The options were cancelled pursuant to the Merger Agreement in exchange for the merger consideration of $21.60 in cash per share, less the exercise price per share of $10.70.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">The options were cancelled pursuant to the Merger Agreement in exchange for the merger consideration of $21.60 in cash per share, less the exercise price per share of $16.67.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Mark J. Plush, Attorney-in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----