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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,
 FVAzCSwf3NkudSLHDh/NEldWC7q/jzxg842rRc4qPHR7r8qNdJ4Gd2qKYJ/4h6Na
 Kk/xa65Jet4CAW30f+BoSA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001349121-07-000001.txt : 20070313
<SEC-HEADER>0001349121-07-000001.hdr.sgml : 20070313
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070313164925
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001349121-07-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070312
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070313
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070313

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LUDWIG KENNETH M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001233660

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12597
		FILM NUMBER:		07691091

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5625 REGENTS PARK RD
		CITY:			KERNERSVILLE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27284
</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>2007-03-12</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233660</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LUDWIG KENNETH M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5625 REGENTS PARK RD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>KERNERSVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27284</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior VP-HR &amp; Corp Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-03-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>18000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>6.86</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kenneth R. Bowling, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-03-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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