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

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2015-05-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001051771</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BELK INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NONE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001189863</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BELK JOHN R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2801 WEST TYVOLA ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHARLOTTE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>28217-4500</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President &amp; COO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2015-05-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14234</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>377280</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>154543</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee GRAT #1</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>211389</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee GRAT #2</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>146809</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee GRAT #3</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>195982</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>484684</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1221842</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Brothers Investment Company</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>444212</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Milburn Investment Company</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>228016</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>190139</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F11"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>190140</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F12"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>190140</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F13"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>183825</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F14"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trusts, spouse and child are trustees</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>21810</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F15"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9542</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F16"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9541</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F17"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9541</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F18"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">14,234 shares of Class A common stock were received by Reporting Person as a distribution from Katherine McKay Belk Grantor Retained Annuity Trust Number Ten dated April 26, 2010, and transferred the shares to John Robert Belk, Trustee U/A dated 1/17/94, his grantor trust.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">377,280 shares of Class A common stock are held in Reporting Person's name and/or John Robert Belk, Trustee U/A dated 1/17/94, Reporting Person's grantor trust.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">154,543 shares of Class A common stock are held by John R. Belk Grantor Retained Annuity Trust dated January 23, 2006.  Reporting Person is the Trustee.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">211,389 shares of Class A common stock are held by John R. Belk Grantor Retained Annuity Trust dated October 12, 2009. Reporting Person is the Trustee.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">146,809 shares of Class A common stock are held by John R. Belk Grantor Retained Annuity Trust dated October 22, 2010. Reporting Person is the Trustee.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">195,982 shares of Class A common stock are held by Kimberly D. Belk, Reporting Person's spouse, or by her grantor trust, Kimberly Dupree Belk Revocable Trust dated July 27, 2007.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">484,684 shares of Class A common stock are held by Katherine McKay Belk Irrevocable Trust dated November 6, 2000.  Voting and investment power is shared by Katherine McKay Belk, Thomas M. Belk, Jr., H.W. McKay Belk, John R. Belk and Katherine Belk Morris.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">1,221,842 shares of Class A common stock are held by Brothers Investment Company, which corporation is equally owned by John M. Belk QTIP GST Non-Exempt Marital Trust, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Susan N. Jamison and Katherine B. Morris, Co-Trustees (&quot;John M. Belk QTIP GST Non-Exempt Marital Trust&quot;) and the heirs of Thomas M. Belk. The co-trustees of John M. Belk QTIP GST Non-Exempt Marital Trust and Katherine McKay Belk, Thomas M. Belk, Jr., H.W. McKay Belk, John R. Belk and Katherine Belk Morris, heirs of Thomas M. Belk, share voting and investment power.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">444,212 shares of Class A common stock are held by Milburn Investment Company.  Voting and investment power is shared by Katherine McKay Belk, Thomas M. Belk, Jr., H.W. McKay Belk, John R. Belk and Katherine Belk Morris.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">228,016 Class A shares held in a trust established by the Will of W.H. Belk for the benefit of Thomas M. Belk. Sarah Belk Gambrell, Katherine Belk Morris, Thomas M. Belk, Jr., H.W. McKay Belk and John R. Belk, the trustees, share voting and investment power.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">190,139 shares of Class A common stock are held by Anna Dupree Belk Irrevocable Trust dated May 28, 2010.  Voting and investment power is shared by Anna Dupree Belk, John R. Belk and Kimberly D. Belk, the trustees.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">190,140 shares of Class A common stock are held by John Robert Belk, Jr. Irrevocable Trust dated August 11, 2011. Voting and investment power is shared by John Robert Belk, Jr., John R. Belk and Kimberly D. Belk, the trustees</footnote>
        <footnote id="F13">190,140 shares of Class A common stock are held by Frances Whitner Belk Irrevocable Trust dated August 18, 2014. Voting and investment power is shared by Frances Whitner Belk, John R. Belk and Kimberly D. Belk, the trustees.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F14">61,275 shares of Class A common stock are held by each of the following trusts:  John R. Belk &amp; Kimberly D. Belk Family Wealth Preservation Trust dated December 21, 2012, f/b/o Anna Dupree Belk; John R. Belk &amp; Kimberly D. Belk Family Wealth Preservation Trust dated December 21, 2012, f/b/o John Robert Belk, Jr.; and John R. Belk &amp; Kimberly D. Belk Family Wealth Preservation Trust dated December 21, 2012, f/b/o Frances Whitner Belk.  Kimberly D. Belk, Reporting Person's wife, and the child that is beneficiary of the trust are trustees of each trust.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F15">10,648 shares of Class B common stock are held in Reporting Person's name and/or John Robert Belk, Trustee U/A dated 1/17/94, Reporting Person's grantor trust. 11,162 of the shares from the Belk, Inc. Executive Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan XV are not payable to the Reporting Person until 2016.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F16">9,542 shares of Class B common stock are held by Anna Dupree Belk Irrevocable Trust dated May 28, 2010.  Voting and investment power is shared by Anna Dupree Belk, John R. Belk and Kimberly D. Belk, the trustees.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F17">9,541 shares of Class B common stock are held by John Robert Belk, Jr. Irrevocable Trust dated August 11, 2011. Voting and investment power is shared by John Robert Belk, Jr., John R. Belk and Kimberly D. Belk, the trustees</footnote>
        <footnote id="F18">9,541 shares of Class B common stock are held by Frances Whitner Belk Irrevocable Trust dated August 18, 2014. Voting and investment power is shared by Frances Whitner Belk, John R. Belk and Kimberly D. Belk, the trustees.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John R. Belk by Holly C. Williamson, POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-05-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
