-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 OvUBL43QGJWy1SY1EVfqWG/AlJvkt6rhvr3wVe5YEWJelyZsjLizbqsmLxAWasgb
 DB1zLkacy3X6KlQdOOBtYw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001216135-03-000001.txt : 20030507
<SEC-HEADER>0001216135-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030507
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030507122719
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001216135-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030503
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030507

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TJX COMPANIES INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000109198
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FAMILY CLOTHING STORES [5651]
		IRS NUMBER:				042207613
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0127

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		770 COCHITUATE RD
		CITY:			FRAMINGHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01701
		BUSINESS PHONE:		508-390-2662

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		770 COCHITUATE ROAD
		CITY:			FRAMINGHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01701

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ZAYRE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19890625

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MEYROWITZ CAROL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216135

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04908
		FILM NUMBER:		03685583

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TJX COMPANIES INC
		STREET 2:		770 COCHITUATE RD
		CITY:			FRAMINGHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01701
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5083901000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TJX COMPANIES INC
		STREET 2:		770 COCHITUATE RD
		CITY:			FRAMINGHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01701
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-03</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000109198</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TJX COMPANIES INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>tjx</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216135</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MEYROWITZ CAROL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President - The Marmaxx Group</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-03</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>8266</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>18.83</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>166224</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Carol Meyrowitz</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----