-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
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>0001219661-03-000002.txt : 20031010
<SEC-HEADER>0001219661-03-000002.hdr.sgml : 20031010
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031010172351
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001219661-03-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031008
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031010

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OFFICEMAX INC /OH/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000929428
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING GOODS STORES [5940]
		IRS NUMBER:				341573735
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0125

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3605 WARRENSVILLE CENTER RD
		CITY:			SHAKER HEIGHTS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44122
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2169216900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3605 WARRENSVILLE CENTER RD
		CITY:			SHAKE HEIGHTS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44122

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MULET HAROLD L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001219657

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13380
		FILM NUMBER:		03937652

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		OFFICEMAX INC
		STREET 2:		3605 WARRENSVILLE CENTER ROAD
		CITY:			SHAKER HEIGHTS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44122
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2164716900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		OFFICEMAX INC
		STREET 2:		3605 WARRENSVILLE CENTER ROAD
		CITY:			SHAKER HEIGHTS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44122
</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>2003-10-08</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000929428</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>OFFICEMAX INC /OH/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>OMX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001219657</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MULET HAROLD L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>OFFICEMAX INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3605 WARRENSVILLE CENTER ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SHAKER HEIGHTS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44122</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.5625</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>34144</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.55</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9144</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.5625</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-10-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-08-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 9,144 restricted shares purchased in April 2003 pursuant to the Company's Management Share Purchase Plan, which are subject to forfeiture until April 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These shares are restricted shares that were purchased in April 2003 pursuant to the Company's Management Share Purchase Plan, which are subject to forfeiture until April 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The option vests 50% on the second anniversary of the date of grant, 75% on the third anniversary of the date of grant, and 100% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Harold L. Mulet</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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