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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 A1eChhfD+eULYxNVgTa87/smN4+GzvVSEkz7esNM3d7ib+qZWz1MkyZ4ZGZNRLTq
 mJlUTaB0keEf594vIWZENw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001164553-03-000001.txt : 20031210
<SEC-HEADER>0001164553-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20031210
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031210165641
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001164553-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031128
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031210

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001016546
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				870372759
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			A6
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		204 EDISON WAY
		STREET 2:		N/A
		CITY:			RENO
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89502
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(775) 858-3744

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		204 EDISON WAY
		STREET 2:		N/A
		CITY:			RENO
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89502

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ALTAIR INTERNATIONAL INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970529

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ALTAIR INTERNATIONAL GOLD INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960611

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHELDON ROBERT F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001164553

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12497
		FILM NUMBER:		031047818

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2050 S. ONEIDA ST., SUITE 208
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80224-2426
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3036399860

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10 COOPERS GREEN RR #1
		CITY:			HALF MOON BAY
		STATE:			A0
		ZIP:			VON 1YO
</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>2003-11-28</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001016546</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ALTI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001164553</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SHELDON ROBERT F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>204 EDISON WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RENO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NV</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>89502</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.41</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-11-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-11-28</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-11-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>65000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert F. Sheldon</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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