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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>0000089800-03-000251.txt : 20031027
<SEC-HEADER>0000089800-03-000251.hdr.sgml : 20031027
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031027104616
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000089800-03-000251
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031024
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031027

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000089800
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-BUILDING MATERIALS, HARDWARE, GARDEN SUPPLY [5200]
		IRS NUMBER:				340526850
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 PROSPECT AVE NW
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44115
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2165662200

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOLAND JAMES C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001203531

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	033-28585
		FILM NUMBER:		03957685

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CAVS/GUND ARENA COMPANY
		STREET 2:		ONE CENTER COURT
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44115
		BUSINESS PHONE:		216-420-2800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CAVS/GUND ARENA COMPANY
		STREET 2:		ONE CENTER COURT
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44115
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-10-24</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000089800</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SHW</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001203531</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BOLAND JAMES C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1 CENTER COURT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CLEVELAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44115</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>31.20</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-10-24</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>3500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-10-23</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><
underlyingSecurityShares><value>3500</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3500</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The option vests in three annual installments of 1,166, 1,167 and 1,167 beginning on October 24, 2004.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Louis E. Stellato, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-10-27</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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