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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-06-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000922358</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FERRELLGAS PARTNERS L P</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FGP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001222835</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FERRELL JAMES E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7500 COLLEGE BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1000</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>OVERLAND PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KS</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>66210</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CEO/Pres/Chairman</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Senior Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-06-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2005-06-30</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1994146.35</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>40</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>see footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-06-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2005-06-30</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3892849</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.83</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4172025</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>see footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On June 30, 2005, the Reporting Person converted 1,994,146.35 Senior Units of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., including accrued and unpaid distributions at a conversion price of $20.83 per Common Unit, resulting in his acquisition of 3,892,849 Common Units.  The conversion price was based on the market price of the Common Units as calculated in accordance with the terms of the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., as amended.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These Senior Units were held by JEF Capital Management, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of James E. Ferrell Revocable Trust Two, of which the Reporting Person is the trustee and sole beneficiary.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These Common Units were issued in the name of James E. Ferrell Revocable Trust Two, of which the Reporting Person is the trustee and sole beneficiary.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James E. Ferrell</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-07-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
