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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Djebxg/Ug9Jki1F0q8CRwRYg0zIwAQn298Dcn8KPVADhfzwPVVeATEhn76U0lvKz
 WESNlM7xdFw0AuUcYBuHIg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000723603-04-000050.txt : 20041001
<SEC-HEADER>0000723603-04-000050.hdr.sgml : 20041001
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041001174130
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000723603-04-000050
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041001
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041001
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041001

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BRUNEL JEAN LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001303905

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12597
		FILM NUMBER:		041059739

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		336 888 6209

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 SOUTH MAIN STREEET
		CITY:			HIGH POINT
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27260

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CULP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000723603
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BROADWOVEN FABRIC MILLS, COTTON [2211]
		IRS NUMBER:				561001967
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0430

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 S MAIN ST
		CITY:			HIGH POINT
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27260
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3368895161

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 2686
		STREET 2:		101 S MAIN ST
		CITY:			HIGH POINT
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27261
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000723603</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CULP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CFI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001303905</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BRUNEL JEAN LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>101 SOUTH MAIN STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HIGH POINT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27260</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.27</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1875</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-10-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-09-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1875</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1875</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant to reporting person under Culp, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan in reliance upon the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jean L.P. Brunel</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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