-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Bq7i4zgUrVRk87paD8kPMYlCqtMFk4g7gkz1YWogGOvybOk0S3Yv29ttnAGhBkQo
 /cShgsWqWKhSV2UNi9KF5Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-10-004890.txt : 20100216
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-10-004890.hdr.sgml : 20100215
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100216172517
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-10-004890
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100211
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100216
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100216

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000899715
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				561815473
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0101

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE SUITE 360
		CITY:			GREENSBORO
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27408
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3362923010

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE SUITE 360
		CITY:			GREENSBORO
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27408

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DILLON KEVIN M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001218087

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11986
		FILM NUMBER:		10609926

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5003 C BASS CHAPEL RD
		CITY:			GREENSBORO
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27455
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-02-11</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000899715</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SKT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001218087</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DILLON KEVIN M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE, SUITE 360</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENSBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27408</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Sr. VP Development and</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Notional Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-02-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each Notional Unit represents the right to receive one or more restricted common shares of the issuer contingent upon achieving designated share price targets determined at the end of a four-year measurement period ending on December 31, 2013.  If the market price of issuer's common shares as of the end of the measurement period is at least $54.59 per share (but less than $58.49 per share), then each Notional Unit will convert into one restricted common share.  If the market price of the issuer's common shares as of the end of the measurement period is at least $58.49 per share (but less than $62.38 per share), then each Notional Unit will convert into two restricted common shares.  If the market price of issuer's common shares as of the end of the measurement period is at least $62.38 per share, then each Notional Unit will convert into three restricted common shares.  These share price targets will be reduced on a penny-for-penny basis with respect to any dividend payments made du
ring the measurement period, provided that in no event will the minimum price target be below $48.37 per share.  The conversion ratios for any share prices in between the above targets will be calculated by linear interpolation.  If at the end of the four-year measurement period the issuer's share price does not achieve a market price of $54.59 per share, adjusted for any dividends, but such common shares performed above the 50th percentile of the issuer's peer group in terms of total return to shareholders, including the reinvestment of dividends, then each Notional Unit will convert into one restricted common share.  Restricted shares issued will vest and restrictions will cease to apply on December 31, 2014.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James F. Williams, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Dillon</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-02-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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