<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3/A</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-10-22</periodOfReport><dateOfOriginalSubmission>2003-10-24</dateOfOriginalSubmission>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000217346</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TEXTRON INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TXT</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001180776</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CLARK R KERRY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O THE PROCTER &amp; GAMBLE COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE PROCTER &amp; GAMBLE PLAZA</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CINCINNATI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>No securities owned</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes/><remarks>Exhibit Index:

24 - Power of Attorney granted by the Reporting Person on October 22, 2003 to each of Michael D. Cahn and Ann T. Willaman.

No other changes have been made to the information reported on the original filing.</remarks><ownerSignature><signatureName>Ann T. Willaman, as Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-10-30</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

