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

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-26</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2004-01-27</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001050122</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>1 800 CONTACTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CTAC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001079425</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COON JONATHAN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>66 E WADSWORTH PARK DRIVE 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DRAPER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>UT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>84020</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>200</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.8</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3124555</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.7</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3124455</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>300</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.71</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3124155</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.7</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3124055</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.7</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3123955</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.7</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3123855</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.7</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3123755</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The shares were sold pursuant to the terms of a 10b5-1 Sales Plan established for Jonathan C. Coon.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Total includes: (i) direct beneficial ownership of 2,803,323 shares, (ii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Hannah K. Coon, (iii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Abigail I. Coon, (iv) indirect beneficial ownership of 105,257 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Samuel Coon, and (v) 19,375 shares that can be acquired through currently exercisable options.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Total includes: (i) direct beneficial ownership of 2,803,223 shares, (ii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Hannah K. Coon, (iii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Abigail I. Coon, (iv) indirect beneficial ownership of 105,257 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Samuel Coon, and (v) 19,375 shares that can be acquired through currently exercisable options.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Total includes: (i) direct beneficial ownership of 2,802,923 shares, (ii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Hannah K. Coon, (iii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Abigail I. Coon, (iv) indirect beneficial ownership of 105,257 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Samuel Coon, and (v) 19,375 shares that can be acquired through currently exercisable options.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Total includes: (i) direct beneficial ownership of 2,802,823 shares, (ii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Hannah K. Coon, (iii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Abigail I. Coon, (iv) indirect beneficial ownership of 105,257 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Samuel Coon, and (v) 19,375 shares that can be acquired through currently exercisable options.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Total includes: (i) direct beneficial ownership of 2,802,723 shares, (ii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Hannah K. Coon, (iii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Abigail I. Coon, (iv) indirect beneficial ownership of 105,257 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Samuel Coon, and (v) 19,375 shares that can be acquired through currently exercisable options.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Total includes: (i) direct beneficial ownership of 2,802,623 shares, (ii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Hannah K. Coon, (iii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Abigail I. Coon, (iv) indirect beneficial ownership of 105,257 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Samuel Coon, and (v) 19,375 shares that can be acquired through currently exercisable options.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Total includes: (i) direct beneficial ownership of 2,802,523 shares, (ii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Hannah K. Coon, (iii) indirect beneficial ownership of 98,300 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Abigail I. Coon, (iv) indirect beneficial ownership of 105,257 shares held by Mr. Coon as custodian under UGMA for and on behalf of Samuel Coon, and (v) 19,375 shares that can be acquired through currently exercisable options.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jonathan C. Coon</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

