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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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 yQ8/MJUIOYBggsMHhgLWZA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001204587-03-000026.txt : 20030723
<SEC-HEADER>0001204587-03-000026.hdr.sgml : 20030723
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030602114918
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001204587-03-000026
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030530
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030602

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COSTELLO LAWRENCE B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001204587

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11415
		FILM NUMBER:		03727449

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AMERICAN STANDARD COMPANIES INC
		CITY:			PISCATAWAY
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08855

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN STANDARD COMPANIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000836102
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AIR COND & WARM AIR HEATING EQUIP & COMM & INDL REFRIG EQUIP [3585]
		IRS NUMBER:				133465896
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE CENTENNIAL AVENUE
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 6820
		CITY:			PISCATAWAY
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08855-6820
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7329806000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE CENTENNIAL AVENUE
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 6820
		CITY:			PISCATAWAY
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08855-6820

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ASI HOLDING CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19941114
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-30</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000836102</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN STANDARD COMPANIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ASD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001204587</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COSTELLO LAWRENCE B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. VP, Human Resources</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-30</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>5.279</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>73.99</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>5686.115</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>I</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <natureOfOwnership>
                <value>DCP</value>
            </natureOfOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents portion of salary from 5-16-03 thru 5-31-03, receipt of which officer elected to defer pursuant to Corporation's Deferred Comp Plan, and which shares are allocated to Mr. Costello's Stock Account under the Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lawrence B. Costello (by M. Cresitello by Power of Attorney)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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