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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001012975-04-000073.txt : 20040219
<SEC-HEADER>0001012975-04-000073.hdr.sgml : 20040219
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040219110022
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001012975-04-000073
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:			FEINSTEIN LEONARD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000901425

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20214
		FILM NUMBER:		04614894

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BED BATH & BEYOND INC
		STREET 2:		110 BI-COUNTY BLVD
		CITY:			FARMINGDALE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11735
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(631) 420-7050

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BED BATH & BEYOND INC
		STREET 2:		110 BI-COUNTY BLVD
		CITY:			FARMINGDALE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11735
</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>0000901425</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FEINSTEIN LEONARD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BED BATH &amp; BEYOND INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>110 BI-COUNTY BLVD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FARMINGDALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>11735</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>6750</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>3535988</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1000000</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. Feinstein and his family members are trustees and officers.  Mr. Feinstein disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents shares held by a charitable foundation of which Mr. Feinstein and his family members are trustees and officers.  Mr. Feinstein disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Does not include shares owned by two of Mr. Feinstein's children (who do not share the same home as Mr. Feinstein) and shares owned by trusts for the benefit of one of Mr. Feinstein's children (who does not share the same home as Mr. Feinstein).  Mr. Feinstein disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Represents shares held by Susan Feinstein, Mr. Feinstein's spouse.  Mr. Feinstein 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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