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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000892251-03-000362.txt : 20030729
<SEC-HEADER>0000892251-03-000362.hdr.sgml : 20030729
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030729102803
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000892251-03-000362
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030725
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030729

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CINTAS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000723254
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MEN'S & BOYS' FURNISHINGS, WORK CLOTHING, AND ALLIED GARMENTS [2320]
		IRS NUMBER:				311188630
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0531

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6800 CINTAS BLVD
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 625737
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45262
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5134591200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6800 CINTAS BOULEVARD
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 625737
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45262

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KOHLHEPP ROBERT J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001178053

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-11399
		FILM NUMBER:		03807414

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PARKER-HANNIFIN CORP
		STREET 2:		6035 PARKLAND BOULEVARD
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44124-4141
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2168962420
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-25</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000723254</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CINTAS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CTAS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001178053</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KOHLHEPP ROBERT J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice Chairman</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-07-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>39.2579</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>987762</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-07-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>39.2579</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1783025</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Xamass LP</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">In addition to 1,783,025 shares held by Xamass, L.P., Mr. Kohlhepp also indirectly beneficially holds 176,016 shares through Xamass Enterprises, Inc., a corporation under Mr. Kohlhepp's control, 444,300 shares held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Kohlhepp's children, however, Mr. Kohlhepp disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares and 1,501.7665 shares through an employee stock ownership plan for a total of 2,404,842.7665 shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">A limited partnership in which the General Partner is a corporation under Mr. Kohlhepp's control.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert J. Kohlhepp</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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