-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 gDyaETC+N3f8lL9Y9fUopw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001204587-03-000038.txt : 20031024
<SEC-HEADER>0001204587-03-000038.hdr.sgml : 20031024
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031024150853
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001204587-03-000038
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030721
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031024

REPORTING-OWNER:	

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

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11415
		FILM NUMBER:		03956360

	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/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-21</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2003-07-21</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <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>C/O AMERICAN STANDARD COMPANIES INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PISCATAWAY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>08855</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. VP, Human Resources</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Exercise of Option</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>45.53</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-07-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-06-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-06-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Corrects original filing which had indicated the acquisition rather than disposition of options in Box 5 of Table II.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Exercisable annually in three equal installments commencing 6/01/2001.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Issued in connection with employment.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lawrence B. Costello (by M.Cresitello by Power of Attorney)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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