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

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-02-18</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000066382</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MILLER HERMAN INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MLHR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001065739</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BRANDON DAVID</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>855 EAST MAIN AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 302</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ZEELAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>49464</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Angela C. Burgess  For: David A. Brandon</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-02-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
