-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Shmho19cnvN4cuGZYXhSEsnDh69nKprqGeI0qLOquyOdtmVKH19nCoY+fgy5RxG6
 cgNpX3L/fiPED+k/nmw39A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001184433-03-000005.txt : 20030612
<SEC-HEADER>0001184433-03-000005.hdr.sgml : 20030612
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030612162816
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001184433-03-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030612
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030612

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			XL CAPITAL LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000875159
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURETY INSURANCE [6351]
		IRS NUMBER:				980191089
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		XL HOUSE
		STREET 2:		ONE BERMUDIANA ROAD
		CITY:			HAMILTON HM11 BERMUD
		STATE:			D2
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4412928515

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CAHILL GORDON & REINDEL(IMMANUEL KOHN)
		STREET 2:		80 PINE STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORKI
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10005

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	EXEL LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950720

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BROWN NICHOLAS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001184433

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10804
		FILM NUMBER:		03742388

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O XL CAPITAL LTD
		STREET 2:		XL HOUSE, ONE BERMUDIANA ROAD
		CITY:			HAILTON BERMUDA
		STATE:			B9
		ZIP:			HMJX
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4412947100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		297 SMITH RIDGE ROAD
		CITY:			NEW CANAAN
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06840
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-06-12</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000875159</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>XL CAPITAL LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>XL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001184433</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BROWN NICHOLAS</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>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
   <nonDerivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class A Common Shares</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-06-11</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>18000.00</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionValue>
              <value>0</value>
          </transactionValue>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>A</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>49167.40</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <nonDerivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class A Common Shares</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-06-11</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>30000.00</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionValue>
              <value>84.00</value>
          </transactionValue>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>19167.40</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <nonDerivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Class A Common Shares</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-06-11</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>12000.00</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionValue>
              <value>0</value>
          </transactionValue>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>A</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>31167.40</value>
              <footnoteId id="F1" />
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeSecurity>
   <derivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Emp. Stock Opt (right to buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>46.59</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-06-11</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>18000.00</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionValue>
              <value>0</value>
          </transactionValue>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
          <value>1997-06-10</value>
              <footnoteId id="F2" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2007-06-10</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Class A Common Shares</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <value>18000.00</value>
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>7162.00</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeSecurity>
   <derivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Emp. Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>37.16</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-06-11</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>12000.00</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionValue>
              <value>0</value>
          </transactionValue>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
          <value>1996-10-30</value>
              <footnoteId id="F2" />
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2006-10-30</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Class A Common Shares</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <value>12000.00</value>
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>0.00</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeSecurity>
<footnotes>
   <footnote id="F1">Includes shares acquired through the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan</footnote>
   <footnote id="F2">exercisable in four annual installments commencing on first anniversary of the grant</footnote>
</footnotes>
    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>Nicholas  Brown</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-06-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>Sarah Fox, attorney-in-fact fo</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-06-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----