-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 E+uIDOugszlV4cS1byRbRNAjLlRxuyA+1s16521WAbA2e9fmb7ioEE9pueN8vCbN
 sJt+32S+E8X88BxmOJvi6A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000949265-03-000298.txt : 20030521
<SEC-HEADER>0000949265-03-000298.hdr.sgml : 20030521
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030521155459
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000949265-03-000298
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030520
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030521

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JAMES DONNA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001197735

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08344
		FILM NUMBER:		03714616

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA
		CITY:			COLUMBUS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43215

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LIMITED BRANDS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000701985
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORES [5621]
		IRS NUMBER:				311029810
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE LIMITED PKWY
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 16000
		CITY:			COLUMBUS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43216
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6144157000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE LIMITED PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		P.O. BOX 16000
		CITY:			COLUMBUS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43216

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	LIMITED INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-20</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000701985</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LIMITED BRANDS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LTD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001197735</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JAMES DONNA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock, $0.50 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-20</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>942</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>1794</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert J. Tannous, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----