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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RHe+wo+Eb9rAbgSzjADVIhGKvojjYZ3JjFo2iieZemRkwAJjFRbFR3mRTGFUOv4+
 KpX2sEPSR8LnTsCBdNULYg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001012975-04-000072.txt : 20040219
<SEC-HEADER>0001012975-04-000072.hdr.sgml : 20040219
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040219105041
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001012975-04-000072
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040218
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040219

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BED BATH & BEYOND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000886158
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-HOME FURNITURE, FURNISHINGS & EQUIPMENT STORES [5700]
		IRS NUMBER:				112250488
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		650 LIBERTY AVENUE
		CITY:			UNION
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07083
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2013791520

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		715 MORRIS AVENUE
		CITY:			SPRINGFIELD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07081

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EISENBERG WARREN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000901402

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20214
		FILM NUMBER:		04614870

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BED BATH & BEYOND INC
		STREET 2:		650 LIBERTY AVENUE
		CITY:			UNION
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07083
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(908) 688-0888

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BED BATH & BEYOND INC
		STREET 2:		650 LIBERTY AVENUE
		CITY:			UNION
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07083
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-18</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000886158</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BED BATH &amp; BEYOND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BBBY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000901402</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>EISENBERG WARREN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BED BATH &amp; BEYOND INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>650 LIBERTY AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>UNION</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07083</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Co-Chairman</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>13250</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>41.695</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1000000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Charitable Foundation</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3057144</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2000000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents the sale of shares by a charitable foundation of which Mr. Eisenberg and his family members are trustees and officers.  Mr. Eisenberg disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents shares held by a charitable foundation of which Mr. Eisenberg and his family members are trustees and officers.  Mr. Eisenberg disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Does not include shares owned by Mr. Eisenberg's four children (who do not share the same home as Mr. Eisenberg) and shares issuable upon exercise of stock options held by one of Mr. Eisenberg's children.  Mr. Eisenberg disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Represents shares held by Maxine Eisenberg, Mr. Eisenberg's spouse.  Mr. Eisenberg disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Ori Solomon, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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