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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>0001104659-04-016692.txt : 20040610
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-04-016692.hdr.sgml : 20040610
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040610205240
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-04-016692
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040608
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040610

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EWALD OLIVER C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001280672

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11442
		FILM NUMBER:		04859429

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5885 LANDERBROOK DR STE 205
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44124

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHART INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000892553
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FABRICATED PLATE WORK (BOILER SHOPS) [3443]
		IRS NUMBER:				341712937
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			2002

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5885 LANDERBROOK DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 150
		CITY:			MAYFIELD HEIGHTS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44124
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4407531490
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-06-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000892553</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CHART INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CIDI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001280672</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>EWALD OLIVER C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>101 HUNTINGTON AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02199</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>2004-06-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>136118</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>32</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1032992</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Audax Chart, LLC (&quot;Audax Chart&quot;) is the direct beneficial owner of the Common Stock. 101 Huntington Holdings, L.L.C. is the general partner of Audax Group, L.P., which is the sole management member of Audax Holdings I, L.L.C., which is the general partner of Audax Private Equity Business, L.P., which is the sole managing member of Audax Private Equity Business, L.L.C., which is the general partner of Audax Private Equity Fund, L.P., which is the sole managing member of Audax Chart.  The Reporting Person is a Principal of Audax Management Company, L.L.C., a subsidiary of Audax Group, L.P. that provides management services  to Audax Private Equity Fund, L.P. pursuant to a services agreement.  The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein.  The filing of this form shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Person is, for purposes of Section 16 or otherwise, the beneficial owner of such share
s.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Oliver C. Ewald</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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