-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Fh/R6wAQLrNAsWvLQcqXxLrMmTpNipgcjaKlTlmUPRnMfX3Dzf+qB6WRQmemvGq5
 RqAEUG0Cs0qLLSd82kGDpg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000787250-05-000010.txt : 20050104
<SEC-HEADER>0000787250-05-000010.hdr.sgml : 20050104
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050104172848
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000787250-05-000010
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050104
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050104

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DICKE JAMES F II
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001224857

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09052
		FILM NUMBER:		05508884

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9732246000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		DPL INC
		STREET 2:		1065 WOODMAN DRIVE
		CITY:			DAYTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45432

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DPL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000787250
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED [4931]
		IRS NUMBER:				311163136
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1065 WOODMAN DRIVE
		CITY:			DAYTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45432
		BUSINESS PHONE:		937 259 7142

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1065 WOODMAN DRIVE
		CITY:			DAYTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45432
</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>2004-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000787250</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DPL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DPL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001224857</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DICKE JAMES F II</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>DPL INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1065 WOODMAN DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DAYTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45432</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Share Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4584</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>21.03</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>DPL Inc. Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4584</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>82862</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">1-for-1</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Deferral of Directors fees into restricted share units representing DPL Inc. common shares pursuant to the Dayton Power and Light Company Directors Deferred Compensation Plan.  Restricted share units are payable in shares of DPL Inc. common stock on a 1-for-1 basis upon the Reporting Person ceasing to be a Director of DPL Inc.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Directors Deferred Compensation Plan</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Ellen S. Leffak by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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