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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-02-27</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001037949</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>[NYSE/Q]</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000944423</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ANSCHUTZ PHILIP F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>555 SEVENTEENTH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-02-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>913800</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.75</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1822390</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-02-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1068491</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.76</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>753899</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-02-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>600926</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.77</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>152973</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-02-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8800</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.78</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>144173</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-02-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>144169</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.6579</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>229708000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Anschutz Company</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17200000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Anschutz Family Investment Company LLC</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Contract</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-02-27</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20633000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-09-16</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20633000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Anschutz Company</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As a result of the transaction described in Table II above, and similar transactions described in Form 4s previously filed, all of these shares are covered by forward sale contracts.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Philip F. Anschutz is the owner of 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Anschutz Company, which is the registered owner of the securities indicated.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">As indicated in a Form 4 previously filed, these shares are subject to call options.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Anschutz Company is the manager and one percent equity owner of Anschutz Family Investment Company LLC, which is the registered owner of the securities indicated.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">On February 27, 2007, Anschutz Company entered into a forward sale contract (the &quot;Contract&quot;) that relates to an aggregate of 20,633,000 shares of common stock.  During the period of the Contract, Anschutz Company will retain ownership of all shares, including voting rights.  The Contract provides that Anschutz Company will deliver, on the dates specified in the Contract, an aggregate number of shares of common stock equal to the product of (i) the applicable Base Amount (as hereinafter defined), and (ii) the applicable Average Exchange Rate, which will be determined as follows:</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">(a) If the volume weighted average price (the &quot;Settlement Price&quot;) of the common stock on any such trading day is less than or equal to $8.5705 per share (the &quot;Forward Floor Price&quot;), the Exchange Rate in respect of such trading day will be one; (b) if the Settlement Price is greater than the Forward Floor Price but less than or equal to $10.7131 per share (the &quot;Forward Cap Price&quot;), the Exchange Rate in respect of such trading day will be equal to the Forward Floor Price divided by the Settlement Price; and (c) if the Settlement Price is greater than the Forward Cap Price, the Exchange Rate in respect of such trading day will be equal to the Adjusted Forward Floor Price (as hereinafter defined) divided by the Settlement Price.  The Adjusted Forward Floor Price will be equal to the Forward Floor Price plus the Settlement Price minus the Forward Cap Price.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">The Average Exchange Rate will equal the arithmetic average of the 10 Exchange Rates corresponding to each of the 10 trading days ending on the Expiration Date (as set forth in Column 6 of Table II of this Form 4 under &quot;Expiration Date,&quot;) subject to extension if certain trading disruptions occur.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">The &quot;Base Amount&quot; is set forth in Column 7 of Table II of this Form 4 under &quot;Amount or Number of Shares.&quot;</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">In consideration therefor, Anschutz Company will receive an aggregate prepayment amount of approximately $150,500,000.  In addition, under the formula in footnotes 5 through 8 above, under the Contract Anschutz Company will receive the first 25% of price appreciation in the common stock above $8.5705 per share.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Thomas A. Richardson, Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-03-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
