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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001012975-04-000084.txt : 20040302
<SEC-HEADER>0001012975-04-000084.hdr.sgml : 20040302
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040302184730
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001012975-04-000084
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040228
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040302

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:			EPPLER KLAUS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001236143

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20214
		FILM NUMBER:		04644087

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PROSKAUER ROSE LLP
		STREET 2:		1585 BROADWAY
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036-8299
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9735380800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PROSKAUER ROSE LLP
		STREET 2:		1585 BROADWAY
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036-8299
</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>2004-02-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001236143</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>EPPLER KLAUS</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O PROSKAUER ROSE LLP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1585 BROADWAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10036-8299</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>296</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>42.24</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4403</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">$12,500 of Mr. Eppler's directors fees for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2004 were paid in Common Stock of the Company pursuant to a plan adopted by the Company and the number of shares was determined based on a price of $42.24 per share.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Ori Solomon, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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