<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0609</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2026-04-15</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001065088</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EBAY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EBAY</issuerTradingSymbol>
        <issuerForeignTradingSymbol></issuerForeignTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001034604</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SHARPLES BRIAN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>false</rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O EBAY INC. 2025 HAMILTON AVE.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN JOSE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95125</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <aff10b5One>0</aff10b5One>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units -1</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2026-04-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>892</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>892</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>892</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Issuer's common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">In connection with the reporting person's appointment and service as a non-employee director of the Issuer, such reporting person has been granted restricted stock units, the value of which is pro-rated to reflect his service for the portion of the year following his appointment on March 20, 2026. The number of restricted stock units granted is calculated by dividing (A) $66,438 (the pro-rated portion of the Issuer's annual grant value to non-employee directors) by (B) the Issuer's closing stock price on the date of the Issuer's 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, rounded up to the nearest whole restricted stock unit. 100% of the restricted stock units vest on the earlier of: (i) 6/25/2026 or (ii) the date of the Issuer's first annual meeting of stockholders that occurs after the date of grant, provided that the reporting person continues to provide service to the Issuer through such date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Not Applicable.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By Greg Kerber for Brian Sharples</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2026-04-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
