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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 GyCfh5d865UsCZ4oJvxPEiGqjfbZ07r44uMTRlekSMy0MJI4tjpMz/9Hu5s+fEk5
 RbSMLQUkaiJL+3VGiH0Mtg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001231652-04-000001.txt : 20040420
<SEC-HEADER>0001231652-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040420
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040420175759
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001231652-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040414
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040420

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NANOMETRICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000704532
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MEASURING & CONTROLLING DEVICES, NEC [3829]
		IRS NUMBER:				942276314
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1550 BUCKEYE DRIVE
		CITY:			MILPITAS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95035
		BUSINESS PHONE:		408-435-9600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1550 BUCKEYE DRIVE
		CITY:			MILPITAS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95035

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BENTLEY J THOMAS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001231652

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-13470
		FILM NUMBER:		04743734

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		435 TASSO ST STE 305 3RD FL
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94031
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6506141530

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		435 TASSO ST STE 305 3RD FL
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94031
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-14</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000704532</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NANOMETRICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NANO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001231652</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BENTLEY J THOMAS</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 TASSO ST STE 305 3RD FL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PALO ALTO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94031</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>non-qualified stock option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.71</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-04-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options vest over three years at the rate of 33-1/3% per year.  Options have five-year term.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Mr. Bentley was appointed and elected a director of Nanometrics Incorporated on April 14, 2004, upon which date he received an automatic grant of 10,000 shares of common stock.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>J. Thomas Bentley</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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